Chapter 17
Hoshikawa Subaru:
Subaru taps his foot impatiently on the sidewalk.
Misora isn't late, he is just early. And impatient. This meeting with Amachi has been a long time coming. Subaru isn't ready to risk another FMian attack with Amachi's prototype weapon still unrefined. It would make things unpredictable.
A sizzling sensation in the back of his mind was the only warning Subaru got before Misora steps into his wavelength – the human one – and joins him on the sidewalk. Their meeting place is outside of a local park. A neutral place that Goyouda won't be able to connect to any past EM incidents.
"Afternoon!" Misora chirps, "Are you ready to go?"
"I've been ready." Subaru says.
"Impatient much?"
"A little, yeah."
Subaru sets off in the direction of AMAKEN, and Misora falls in step.
"I'm so excited!" She says, "Is this going to be like a spy briefing? Are we going to get cool gadgets?"
"Probably not. But you will get your Z-waves erased, which will free up your movements."
"That's nice too."
Subaru doesn't have much to add. He is busy running over the topics he wants to discuss with Amachi in his head, determined not to leave anything out. It could be life or death. Both for him and Misora.
"Did you have fun yesterday?" Misora asks.
"Huh?"
"You said that you were busy this weekend," Misora clarifies, "so what were you up to yesterday."
Subaru pulls his thoughts together, "Oh… um, well, I'm coordinating lighting and sound for a school play. We had rehearsal yesterday."
"Ooooo! What's it about?"
Warrock can't hold back his snickers.
"Nothing interesting." Subaru mutters with a glare at his transer.
Misora narrows her eyes and swerves closer to Subaru's shoulder. Subaru would like to back away, but that would mean backing into the street. And he doesn't have a death wish thank you very much. Misora blinks and pulls a pouting expression for her next onslaught.
"I haven't been to regular school since elementary school. I have no idea what a school play would be like. I have no point of reference. So I'd really like to know more."
"Yeah!" Harp chimes in from the guitar on Misora's back, "I'm clueless here!"
"Nothing novel about that." Warrock snipes.
"Hey!"
Subaru sighs loudly, "Fine!" he says with more force than strictly necessary, "The play is about Rockman, alright. Happy now?"
"No." Misora deadpans, "Now I'm more confused."
"It's an original. My classmate wrote the script."
"Not about that."
"What then?" Subaru groans.
"If it's about Rockman, then why are you the light and sound guy and not Rockman?"
Misora's face is perfectly straight as she says it and Subaru is perfectly uncertain as to whether or not she's being serious.
"It would be a really stupid way for people to discover my identity." He mutters. And Misora's composure slips. Her cheeks puff up as she attempts to hold in her laughter. But, inevitably, she busts up, huge guffaws and gasps for air. It takes her a full five minutes to calm down again. She even has to stop walking at one point.
"Are you done yet?" Subaru asks in bewilderment.
"Yes." Misora giggles.
"Clearly not." Warrock growls.
"I don't get what's so funny about it." Subaru grumbles.
Misora gasps, "You don't think that's a little bit ridiculous?"
"If you knew the person who wrote the play, you wouldn't be surprised."
"Who?"
Warrock chimes in, "A blonde, know-it-all bimbo who's constantly sticking her nose in other people's business, trying to micromanage their lives, all the while being a complete perfectionist herself."
"Sounds like you view her quite highly, Warrock." Harp comments.
"More like I respect her unrelenting drive." Warrock growls, "I don't know where she gets the energy to be a constant pain in the ass."
Misora's face is lit with a wide smile, "You should introduce us sometime, Subaru."
Subaru glowers, "No,"
"Come to think of it," Warrock mutters, "They're probably too alike. Do you think they'd get along, kid?"
"I'm not giving it a chance." Subaru says.
Misora pouts, but Subaru manages to ignore it as they reach AMAKEN. He zones back in on the task at hand. Amachi. Weapons. Harp Note. Details.
In the control room, Amachi and Utagai are bent over a console, intently discussing the readout in loud whispers. Subaru catches the tail end of "the concentration of EM waves is not consistent around the circumference. Here, here, and here, we see sinkholes of sorts in the offload as the weapon provides interference…"
Subaru clears his throat. He rolls up on his toes and Amachi and Utagia's heads whip around at Mach speed, eyes wide and startled. Subaru thought he had a plan, but now he isn't sure where to start.
"Subaru." Amachi said, "I didn't hear you come in."
"You were preoccupied."
"Yes. Yes, we were." Amachi checks his watch, "I didn't realize it was time for our meeting already. Time sure flies when you're busy… ummm, I wasn't expecting you to bring a friend though."
Misora smiles amicably as Subaru stumbles into his explanation, "This is Hibiki Misora."
"I know." Amachi says dryly, "We've met. On this very roof, in fact."
"Right, well, she's also…"
"I'm also called Harp Note." Misora says confidently. She offers a handshake like a peace offering, "It's a pleasure to be working with you. I've read up on your most recent research and it really fills me with confidence that you will be spearheading the science side of things with the Satellite Police."
Subaru shot her a look. He didn't know she'd done that. And Amachi looked impressed, which is no small feat. Misora simply had a way of sweet talking her way into everyone's favor, it seems. Must be a talent. One Subaru does not possess.
"Well," Amachi accepts her handshake and her earth shaking revelation in stride, "It will be nice to have another person on the team. And someone to watch Subaru's back."
"He'll be doing the same for me, I'm sure." Misora says with confidence. Subaru has no idea where that came from, considering the last time they'd fought side by side, she'd been rescuing his ass and that didn't make him seem very dependable. But he wasn't about to say as much.
Utagai has yet to say anything. He is watching Misora and Amachi's exchange with narrowed eyes, analyzing. When Misora turns her attention on him, Utagai takes half a step back.
"I don't believe we've met before." She says.
"No, we have not."
Misora is unruffled by Utagai's tone. But she makes no move to offer him the same handshake she had for Amachi. She keeps her distance and simply says, "It's nice to meet you."
"Yeah, so," Subaru decides to ignore whatever it is going on there and get right down to business, "What did Goyouda tell you about the prototype, Amachi?"
Amachi turns back to his console and, with a few taps, pulls up a graph of a color coded EM distribution on the big screen as he explains, "This is the distribution of Cancer's energy over time under the effect of the prototype. We essentially cut the line from his power supply to his output, dissipating his EM energy instead of allowing him to use it."
"And then he couldn't move?" Misora asks. At Amachi's glance, she shrugs, "Someone recorded it on their transer and posted it online. I saw the whole thing. The FMian just kinda froze up and melted off the kid."
"That's the thing," Amachi sighs and rubs his eyes, "Nothing in the prototype's design would have made him immobile. I don't know if it's a side effect or a fluke."
"Neither." Subaru and Warrock chime in together. Three pairs of eyes fixed on them, and Suabru goes on to explain, "You can think of denpa humans and their abilities like a circuit. The FMian, Planet FM, and earth's atmosphere are like a power supply. Our weapons utilize energy levels that differ from weapon to weapon. The threshold energy needed to maintain form is like a capacitor. It has to be 'charged' before you can even transform. So basically, if the power supply is cut off, the circuit should still have energy to run for a limited time. Cancer Bubble should have been able to move until he 'melted off' as Misora put it."
"But he didn't." Amachi deadpans.
"And that's just Cancer." Warrock grumbles, "He's stupid and weak on a good day. His idiotic loyalty is his only redeeming trait. I couldn't tell you what was going through his mind back then, but I could make a guess. He was unwilling to abandon the mission until he was completely beaten."
"Couldn't he have, I don't know, worked around the weapon?" Utagai asks quietly.
Warrock hums, "I couldn't tell you. My clan has a host of different characters and figuring them out is more work than it's worth. The best course of action is just to be prepared and to be strong."
"How does that work?" Amachi pipes up, "The 'clans' on Planet FM."
Harp decided to take point on the culture lesson, and speaks up for the first time, "Most clans have some kind of commonality between them, like origin, or shape, or power. But our clan, the war clan, is more laissez-faire. We are handpicked by King Cepheus. We have no hierarchy. We have no rules. But when the King gives us a mission, we are expected to complete it somehow, some way, and very quickly. It tends to make most of us ruthless, 'attack first and questions later' kind of creatures."
Utagai's face is pinched in confusion, "How does King Cephus pick the members of your clan?"
"No idea." Harp admits, "I've tried distilling his criteria by looking at the members of our clan before. But as soon as I think I know what it is, he brings in a new member who completely screws up the system. The last time I questioned the King was when Rock was initiated. And, as you can imagine, the King wasn't very willing to explain himself."
"Well." Amachi sighs, "That doesn't really help me understand things any better. It just makes me think we got lucky that Cancer was our test subject. And that moves me on to our next point. The redirected energy wasn't very kind to our technicians."
"You mean, Goyouda's headache?" Subaru asks.
"Exactly. That concentration of EM energy is too much for human tolerance. I'm working on a program that will redirect the energy to the nearest waveroad without overloading the grid, but that will take some time."
Utagai follows up by saying, "In the meantime, we'll also need to work on a way of keeping the denpa human stationary so that the weapon will even work."
"It's more a matter of wearing the FMian down." Subaru cuts in, "Either you'll have to chase the denpa human down, all the while maintaining contact, or catch them while they're already worn down, using the weapon to initiate the breaking point. Either way, it won't be easy. But there also isn't an easy way to hold down a denpa human."
Amachi grimaces, "I don't like the idea that humans can't combat the threat of FMians on their own. I appreciate what you do Subaru, I really do. But I don't like the idea that you have to fight or that this battle depends on you."
"To be fair." Warrock admits, "I am the reason they're here. I should take responsibility for the havoc they cause."
"And I have an agreement with Warrock." Subaru adds, "And we work together. It's my problem too."
Amachi sighs, "Then we'll just find a way to make this work."
"Don't worry," Utagai says quietly, "we can do it."
"Anything else?" Amachi asks, his gaze on Subaru.
Subaru taps his chin in thought, "I'm sure Goyouda's already asked you to make them water proof, although, FMians range around an assortment of attacks. So I don't know if you can make it completely impervious, but you can try. My only other suggestion would be to work out a weapon that might actually deal damage to a denpa human. Like weapon cards."
"Ah," Amachi grins widely, "That's not my area of expertise." He gestures to Utagai, "We have an expert working on that already."
"Really?!" Subaru asks Utagai, "I didn't know you had something like that already in development!"
Utagai offers Subaru a wry smile, "You didn't know because I hadn't told you yet. I wanted to surprise you when it was farther along, but it seems like I've run out of time. I can't withhold technology that might be of use."
"What is it?"
"The idea was born of my experience as a denpa human." Utagai explains, "The ability to materialize objects out of denpa space was amazing, despite the horror of the situation. I've analyzed the data collected during the last few attacks and I've found that EM beings that utilize weapons add an extra charge to the atmosphere that acts as a scaffold for whatever it is they want to create. In the case of weapon cards, the data gives the charged atmosphere shape and intent while the EM being themselves supply the energy."
Utagai pauses for a breath and quickly checks to see that his audience is still captive.
"In short, if you recreate these conditions and have a large enough power supply, you can create matter. Anything you want. For my experiments, I've made simple things like hammers and bubbles. But potentially, we could be creating weapons from weapon cards and use them similar to how Rockman can use them."
"That's amazing." Misora whispers, eyes wide, "You've taken science fiction to science reality just by watching and learning from FMians."
Utagai glances away, "Right now, it only works in a tightly controlled environment. It hasn't been field tested."
Amachi pats the man on the back, "It's a work in progress."
"It will require an entirely new device," Utagai says, sounding strained, "Our current transer technology doesn't even come close to being able to handle the energy load required to create matter. And, as with all new technology, it will take time for the new device to hit the market and become used by the wider population."
"Wouldn't it be enough just to issue them to the Satellite Police?" Subaru asks.
Amachi sighs, "Possibly, but we can't give them the raw prototype we have now and expect them to depend on it in the field. So, no, the SP won't be getting them until more field testing is complete." Conversation grinds to a halt as he rubs his eyes again, which Subaru notices are bloodshot and deep bags rest underneath. Utagai looks no better. And after Amachi and Utagai's discussion of their progress, Subaru knows that they are operating on very little sleep.
Misora is the one to finally speak up, "I can field test the new device, if that's what you need."
The two tired scientists turn their attention to her.
"You all have obligations of sorts, but I don't really. Sure, I want to help save the world and make sure Subaru doesn't get himself killed. But beyond that, I'm just along for the ride. I'll help out in any way I can. So will Harp."
"Sounds like fun!" Harp singsongs from Misora's guitar.
There's a flicker of doubt and mistrust in Utagai's face, but he simply asks, "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Misora's tone never wavers, "I'm sure."
Amachi claps his hands together, "Well, we really have no reason to refuse your offer, Misora-chan. I, personally, look forward to working with you."
Utagai nods, but looks less convinced.
"Anything else you kids need?" Amachi asks.
"Well," Subaru directs his request at Utagai, "I was hoping you could delete Harp Note's Z-waves from the SP's tracking program like you did with mine. You know, so they're not hounding her while she's testing your tech."
"Of course." Utagai says.
"Then, I think I'm good." Subaru glances at Misora, "What about you?"
Misora shakes her head, "Not unless you guys have any other questions for us?" The scientists in question shrug.
"Probably," Amachi admits, "But between what Subaru has already told me and having a bad case of brain fog, I can't think of them right now. Misora-chan, we'll be in touch. You two should just enjoy the rest of your weekend."
Subaru stretches his arms over his head and yawns, "You don't have to tell me twice."
Amachi chuckles, "Had a rough week, have we?"
"Shirogane-san," Subaru explains, "Is driving me crazy. Between the upcoming play and the student council elections, she's got like, zero chill. And of course she drags me and her lackeys along for the ride."
"I wondered why I hadn't seen them around recently." Utagai comments.
"Yeah, she's about as wound up as her pigtails." Subaru mutters.
"This is the classmate you won't introduce me to?" Misora asks.
Amachi blinks, looking back and forth between the two teenagers. He finally settles on Subaru and says, "That's kind of rude, Su."
Subaru pouts, "I don't care."
Misora shrugs it off, grabs Subaru's wrist, and drags him off. She tosses a wave over her shoulder for the scientists, but she's not sure if they appreciate it or if they've already turned back to their work. Either way, she's got Subaru hostage now, terrible attitude and all.
"Coffee sounds good, don't you think." Misora says.
"Mmmm." Subaru agrees.
"I have a place in mind that's quiet and completely devoid of paparazzi, so long as you don't mind wave-changing to get there."
Subaru shoots her a look that seems to say why would I mind? And it's settled. They transform and Misora leads the way. She's practiced getting to this particular destination a handful of times since her hiatus from idol work. The best waveroad is right… there! She leaps up and transforms her body into pure light.
Misora can feel Subaru's signature directly behind her, matching her move-for-move effortlessly. Absently, she wonders what Subaru did to get so good at wave-change, since last she checked, he didn't go a few weeks living exclusively as a denpa-human like Misora did.
It only takes a few seconds to reach the colorful city of Nanuska. And Misora doesn't even bother to transform back. She shifts her frequency, falls through the waveroad, and alights on the ground with barely enough force to stir up dust on the cobbled streets. She's fully visible and tangible, and not one passerby gives her a second glance.
Subaru, Misora notices, is less sure of himself. Not his landing, no. But he hasn't followed suit by turning visible. He glances warily around at the pedestrians, the open market they've landed in, and the odd statues that surround them on all sides.
"Is this okay?" he asks.
"Yeah." Misora shrugs, "Turns out this place has an ancient religion that worships things that sound an awful lot like denpa-humans. It's pretty bizarre. But the people here are really nice." She starts walking down the street, her memory leading her toward her favorite coffee shop, "I originally came here for the view." Harp Note waves her hand towards the snow-capped mountains that surround them and the giant ziggurat situated in the center of the city, "And I wound up staying longer than I anticipated. So it kind of feels like a second home here."
There. The shop with the verdant green curtains. Misora pulls them out of the way and gestures for Subaru to enter first. He doesn't look too thrilled, but goes in anyway. Misora doesn't miss the way part of the curtain still passes through him instead of getting caught on the edges of his helmet. She rolls her eyes.
"Hey, Min!" Misora says upon entering, "Can I get some coffee for me and my friend here."
The shopkeep, a stout woman with long, greying hair pulled into a bun at the base of her neck, turns around and smiles when she recognizes Misora - or more accurately - Harp Note. "La Musica, you've returned." Min wipes her hands on her indigo poncho, "It is very good to see you again. But, where is this friend of yours, hmmm?"
Misora smiles, "He's just being shy."
"Alright, my dears." Min turns to grab two mugs and her brewing equipment, "You two find a seat then, and I will have la café ready for you shortly."
Misora leads the way to a small table and sits down. The worn wood is soft under her fingers, which is puzzling. She's always wondered how her senses can still be so good through the layers of alien spandex that makes up her armor, but it's a mystery for another day.
"This was not what I expected when you suggested coffee." Subaru says in soft tones, even as he finally shifts into the visible spectrum and sits down. Tangible too then. "Why are they so comfortable with us here?"
"Like I said, they group up hearing stories about people like us." Misora shrugs, "And if I've helped them out with virus problems more than a few times, well, that's just an added bonus."
"I see."
"But seriously, Min makes the best coffee. It's really rich with just the perfect amount of sweet, caramel undertones. You won't be disappointed." Misora smiles.
"Well, we did come all this way." Subaru smirks.
With a snort, Misora shoots back, "You say that like it didn't take us a couple of seconds." She stretches in her chair, happy and content to be back in the corner of her favorite cafe. A few of her most recent original songs had been written in this very spot, "Ahhh, denpa-henkan is so nice."
Subaru simply hums in agreement as he looks around the shop. It's empty except for them at this time of day. But Misora knows that, come afternoon, when the workers return from the fields, the cafe will be bustling with men and women. The smell of rich earth wafting from muddy clothes and the aroma of coffee overwhelming.
Min appears with their cups of steaming coffee within a few minutes. She doesn't miss the way Subaru's eyes grow wide when he takes his first sip. Min takes great pride in crafting her coffee, after all.
"Is this your first time in Nanuska?"
Subaru nods.
Min's hands go to her hips and she turns a reproachful stare on Misora, "La Musica, how could you bring him here and only get him la café?"
Subaru appears thoroughly confused, but Misora should have seen this coming. She blushes under Min's stare, "My bad." She says, "Could we, uh, get some of those buns too?"
"Of course." Min smiles, "And they will be on me." When Misora starts to protest, Min cuts her off with swift gesture, "No, my dears, it is courtesy of Nanuska."
"What does she mean by that?" Subaru whispers once Min has walked back to the kitchen, most likely to start warming the buns.
Misora breathes in the smell of her coffee before savoring her first sip. It never disappoints. "Nanuska is famous for having both the best produce plus some special ingredients you can't get anywhere else. People travel here from all over the world just to taste their unique cuisine. So, as you can imagine, the locals are both very proud and very protective of their reputation."
"Huh? Well, my mom would fit right in here."
"That she would."
Misora drinks her coffee. The buns come and they're just as delicious as she remembers. Subaru seems to agree, if the way he polishes his off in seconds and follows up by licking his fingers is any indication. Misora wants to laugh, but she also doesn't want to embarrass him.
"So." Misora crosses her arms and leans her elbows on the table, "I know you said you were busy this weekend, so I won't keep you long. But you promised me we'd do something together next weekend."
"'Promised'?" There was glint in his eye that Misora can't quite decipher. But Misora isn't planning to play along.
She rolls her eyes, "Whatever. I have some things in mind that I've been wanting to try for years. And it won't be half as fun if I don't have a partner in crime…"
"We're committing 'crimes' now?"
Misora sticks her tongue out at him. Why does he feel the need to be so annoying and challenge everything she has to say? "Considering we're harboring illegal aliens and we run from the police, I'd say 'yeah,' but I was using it as an expression and you know it."
Subaru smirks from behind his mug, "I know."
"Okay then." Misora closes her eyes to think, "In order to get to everything I have planned, we should meet at the mall around eleven in the morning. Can you manage that?"
"Shouldn't be a problem." Subaru says.
Misora smiles in return.
Subaru opens the front door of the Hoshikawa residence before Luna has the chance to knock.
Luna blinks, "Well, aren't you eager this morning." she comments.
"I just want this week to be over already." Subaru says, deadpan, as he shuts the front door, "It's only Tuesday and yet all your stress is boiling over. I'm tired of it."
"I'm not stressed!" Luna argues.
"No?" Subaru checks his transer screen, "Then why are you here a whole twenty minutes earlier than usual?"
"Why are you awake a whole twenty minutes earlier than usual?" Luna shoots back. Subaru doesn't bother with a response, instead opting to trudge down the front walk. Luna catches up with a few quick strides.
"Is it really that bad?" She asks, sounding unsure of herself.
Subaru sneaks a sideways glance. Luna isn't meeting his eyes and that tells him enough, "No." He admits, "And honestly, I think everything is going to be fine. The rehearsal went off without a hitch on Saturday and, as I've already stated, I don't think any of your competition in the election stands a chance. What are you so worried about?"
Luna sighs. Her eyes flick back and forth along the sidewalk as they head to school, as if she's having some sort of internal debate. Subaru doesn't interrupt. Normally, Luna is the kind of person who just says what she feels. Pretty much the polar opposite of Subaru. So whatever it is that's bothering her, well, Subaru's not really sure he needs to, or even wants to, know.
"Sometimes…" Luna's voice starts off soft, "Sometimes it's hard to remind myself to be confident."
What? Subaru's thought processes grind to a halt. It takes all his self control to not say, have you not been confident this whole time? Subaru peeks at his transer screen to see if Warrock has any opinion, but the FMian just shrugs. Figures.
"Uhhh…" still happens to slip out and Subaru hurriedly slaps a hand over his mouth.
Luna shoots him a wry grin, "I appreciate the vote of confidence (and your actual vote in the election), but yeah. I'm not really like that all the time, believe it or not."
"I don't believe it." Subaru mumbles.
Luna laughs, but there's no humor in it, "Hoshikawa-kun, sometimes, you're not very observant, are you? Kizamaro and Gonta, and I think your mom too, already know."
"Know what?"
Her smile is cryptic, "I'm not going to spell it out for you. Anyways," Luna changes the subject on a dime, "You said you would check the stage equipment this morning, remember? Just in case something needs to be fixed or adjusted, it can get done during the day."
"I remember." Subaru says, "What about Kizamaro and Gonta?"
"They have their own assignments to attend to this morning." Which would explain why they weren't here, tagging along. That whole awkward exchange could have been avoided. Subaru almost misses their familiar presence. And, huh, if that isn't a novel thought, Subaru doesn't know what is.
So when they get to the front gates of the Kodoma High, Subaru waves goodbye to Luna and heads to the gymnasium. The equipment hasn't been moved since the rehearsal on Saturday, the drama club had been assured of that. Subaru weaves through the fixtures before arriving at the switchboard and flicks it on. Lights of all colors dance across the stage, going through their full range of motion. Systematically, Subaru checks each. Checks the speakers. Checks the mics. It's tedious work, but in a way, it reminds Subaru of the bench work he does at AMAKEN.
He's almost finished a full system check when he feels… something. Something not right. He feels goosebumps raise along his arm under his red jacket. There's a tingling sensation somewhere in the back of his mind. Like a sixth sense, but a sense he usually only has during denpa-henkan.
"Hey, I was looking for you!"
Subaru startles so badly he almost knocks the switchboard loose of the makeshift soundbooth the dramma club had built.
"Crap." Subaru mutters, steadying the switchboard with shaking hands, "Tsukasa-kun, don't scare me like that!"
Tsukasa grins, apologetic, "Sorry, I thought you knew I was here." He shrugs, "Guess you were pretty focused on your work."
Focused? Subaru thinks, more like on-edge. Subaru heaves a big sigh before he levels a frown at his classmate, "You know, if this whole soundbooth collapsed, you might not get your moment in the spotlight tonight."
Tsukasa picks up on the sarcasm and returns it with some of his own, "Well, I wouldn't want to deprive the world of that! After all, I went out and bought a brunette wig specifically for this."
"Oh my gosh, seriously?"
Tsukasa laughs, "Yep. I can't let Luna-chan down after all her hard work."
Subaru nods at that, thinking over what Luna had said on the walk to school. Try as he might, he's still not sure what he was meant to figure out from all that. He'd ask his mom, but she might just take it the wrong way. Perhaps he'd ask Misora.
"Shirogane-san does have a knack for giving people jobs that they already want to do, so I don't think you'll let her down, Tsukasa-kun."
Tsukasa's brown eyes widen ever so slightly, "That's quite the vote of confidence, coming from you."
And what is up with that phrase today? Vote of confidence. His classmates act as if Subaru never had a drop of faith in people. He's not like that. Right? Okay, maybe a little. Sometimes. But only sometimes.
Subaru shakes the thought from his head.
Instead he simply mutters, "I'm just stating the facts. Shirogane-san knew I wouldn't want any part in the play, and she knew if I were going to tolerate doing anything, it'd be this." He gestures to the switchboard, "So by that logic, she must know you'll make the perfect hero."
Tsukasa sighs and falls into the chair in the soundbooth next to where Subaru is working. It's uncharacteristic of Tsukasa to say the least. Subaru side-eyes his green-haired classmate as he puts the switchboard into standby. He knows he should ask what's wrong, but he's already had an emotionally heavy morning. And, once again, he's not one hundred percent sure he really wants to know.
Internally, Subaru sighs, echoing his classmate. And he bites the bullet.
"What's wrong?" Subaru asks Tsukasa, "Worried about tonight?"
"Not really."
Subaru wants to roll his eyes, but he resists the temptation.
"Then what?"
"I, uh…" Tsukasa laughs, it sounds hollow, "I kinda have a crush on Luna-chan."
Subaru's mental functions grind to a halt for the second time that morning. Um, excuse me? What? Also. Why tell me?
It takes a couple of false starts for Subaru to formulate a response.
"Uh."
Yep. Quite the response.
"It feels good to tell someone," Tsukasa continues despite the fact that Subaru isn't really being much of a conversationalist at the moment. Maybe that's not the point, "I'm not that close to the other guys and I was kinda worried they'd go ballistic on me. You know how they are. But you're cool. So, uh, now you know."
Yep. Now Subaru knows. And what the heck is supposed to do with that information? Why do people feel the need to confide in him of all people?
A bell rings over the intercom, signifying that students have fifteen minutes to get to class. Subaru has never felt happier to go to class. But he's not sure if he's been set free of this conversation quite yet.
Tsukasa scowls at the intercom, an expression that looks a little out of place on his face. Subaru doesn't comment, still waiting for the other boy to finish the disaster of the conversation he started. Tsukasa picks up his backpack, stands, and slings it over his shoulders in one smooth motion.
Uh oh. It looks like Tsukasa is going to leave. And for some reason, Subaru's not satisfied. That can't be the end of the conversation. There has to be more. And if that isn't a feeling Subaru wants to murder, bury deep inside himself, and literally never think about it again, he's not sure what is.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Subaru asks, surprising even himself.
Tsukasa turns halfway toward Subaru, an inscrutable expression on his face. That, or Subaru's just bad at reading people. Probably both.
"What do you mean?" Tsukasa's tone is indecipherable. Geez, Subaru didn't think he was quite this hopeless at basic human interaction. But this is way outside of his comfort zone.
He gives Tsukasa a peeved look, like he can't believe he has to actually say the words out loud, "You're just going to tell me that you like Shirogane-san and then you're just going to leave it at that? you're not going to do anything about it?"
"It wouldn't go anywhere." Tsukasa says, matter-of-fact, a frown on his face.
"How do you know that?"
"I just do."
"Huh, weird." Subaru can't quite bite back the sarcasm, "I didn't think predicting the future was a thing yet."
Tsukasa spins on his heel so he's fully facing Subaru. There's this glint in his bright brown eyes that Subaru's never seen before and he's not quite sure what it means. He feels a little intimidated, but also not. He was right wasn't he?
"Have you ever liked anyone before, Subaru-kun?" Tsukasa asks, tone clipped.
Subaru thinks about it. Comes up empty.
Tsukasa can tell right away, "Okay then. You have no idea how scary it is. How scary rejection is. So, yeah, I don't plan on doing anything about it. But being friends is much better than the alternative."
"That's… fair, I guess." Subaru admits.
Tsukasa closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose, looking like he was expecting their disagreement to last longer, "Okay." is all he says instead.
"Okay?" Subaru asks.
"I just wanted to tell someone." Tsukasa admits, "I knew I could tell you. 'Cause we're friends, right?"
Friends?
"Yeah. Friends." Subaru doesn't trip over the word. He doesn't.
"Cool." Tsukasa smiles and then says, "We should probably get to class."
"Yeah."
Subaru throws his backpack over his shoulder and follows Tsukasa out into the hallway, leaving behind the gym and the remnants of one mess of a conversation.
"Hoshikawa-kun! We're starting in five minutes!" Luna hisses from the gymnasium doors. Her costume is in place, her hair and makeup are flawless, and she looks ready to blow a blood vessel in her forehead.
Subaru can't resist, "Yes, I know." He hisses back, "I know how to read a clock."
Luna scowls, but soon dashes off to find another member of the drama club. Subaru can't help but sigh, relieved. If he's being honest with himself, he's a little stressed out too. If something goes wrong with the light or sound, he's never going to be able to escape the shame of it. He's supposed to be the light and sound guy, not the screwup.
He can always go back to avoiding everyone if that happens. A bit of an overreaction, but he's no stranger to overreaction.
But, to be honest, the idea of letting down Luna and his… friends (oof, is that indigestion he feels? ugh) is not one he wants to dwell on. He thinks maybe (just maybe) it would be quiet and lonely if it was just him and Rock again. So Subaru takes a big gulp of air and does a final sweep over all the lights and dials on the switchboard. The pattern is burnt into his brain and he plays the proceedings out in his head, fingers ghosting over the adjustments that will need to be made.
A few minutes before the start, Subaru sees his mom enter the gymnasium and wave in his direction. He offers her a wry smile in return, but doesn't wave himself. The point of being the light and sound guy is that no one sees you. Subaru already knows he's biased towards being invisible.
"Hey Rock." Subaru mutters while the gymnasium is still loud with the chatter of a few hundred people, "Did you find anything while you were poking around today?"
The FMian shakes his head, "No. Whatever you felt this morning was a one-time thing."
Subaru frowns, "That's odd."
"And that's an understatement." Warrock agrees, "In order for you to feel a signal in human form, it has to be strong. And considering it disappeared shortly after you felt it meant that it was aimed at you, intentional, or both. I don't like it."
Subaru nods, hums, and reconsiders, "Or I was just imagining things."
Warrock tilts his head in conscension, "Possibly. But, kid, know this. The more experienced a warrior, the more attuned their instincts. At this point, I'm not willing to write off your instincts."
"It felt…" Subaru shivers, "Murderous."
"Well," Warrock reminds him, "This is my clan we're dealing with. Every one of them will fight with the intent to kill. You are the exception here."
Subaru glances at the clock, sees the time, and dims the lights of the gymnasium. He doesn't really have a response to that.
You are the exception here.
With practiced movements, Subaru flicks the switch to turn on the stage mic. The drama club president introduces themselves and the play before removing the mic and its stand. On stage, the curtains are drawn back. The play begins.
Fight with the intent to kill.
There's just no way he can do that. Denpa humans are still, in part, human. And FMians are violent, but mislead by their king and whatever agenda their king has concerning Earth. A misunderstanding that may have been provoked by his dad.
Can I fix my dad's mistakes?
On stage, Rockman declares he is Earth's protector. The alien and virus invasion stands no chance against him. Rockman doesn't waver. Rockman does whatever needs to be done. No matter the cost to himself.
But I'm still human. I'm weak and I make mistakes. Just like my dad did.
Luna's character is taken captive by Taurus of Fire. Gonta, for all his friendliness, embraces his villainous role. Kizamaro must have coached Gonta through his lines because he sounds alarmingly like his alter ego. His monologue goes on for a while as he taunts his captive and calls the citizens of Earth puny, weak, and powerless. Not far off, all things considered.
The next part requires Subaru to make a few rapid adjustments. Rockman's entrance needs to be flashy, per Luna's instructions. The cue is coming.
"Rockman will stop you." Luna declares, "He will restore the peace. And no one will ever have to feel afraid, lonely, or angry again. Because, individually, mankind might be powerless, but together we are strong."
It's cheesy, cliche, and the lines don't quite flow together, but Subaru can see how the events of the past few months inspired Luna's script. She wanted to send two messages: believe in Rockman's goodwill, and reassure people that happiness can serve as a preventative. Unfortunately, her messages most likely won't go farther than the halls of Kodoma High. But considering the school's propensity towards attacks Subaru thinks it's worthwhile. He and Warrock are at Kodoma High, after all.
He reaches for the switch that will light up Tsukasa's character, but something fizzes through the switchboard. The entire gymnasium goes dark. Subaru can even hear the ventilation system winding down, motors cut. Barely a breath stirs the air. No one but Subaru and the cast knows this is unintentional.
In the dark, Subaru reaches for his transer, for some source of light so he can figure out what went wrong. His heart is pounding so hard he can feel his pulse in his head and his lungs seem to have forgotten that breathing is supposed to be an unconscious thing. It drives a spike of fear through his chest, like it's been smashed in again. And again. And again. Not good. Is he panicking? Brain is offline. Error 404. Cannot access rational thought. Please reboot your Subaru.
What feels like an eternity is only a second at most. The lights come back on, a fluorescent buzz that Subaru feels he can taste on his tongue. Tart like an unripe tangerine.
And Tsukasa stands proudly in the spotlight where no one had been standing a second before. His fake blue armor looks brighter than Subaru remembered it being in rehearsals. Tsukasa is delivering his lines, but Subaru doesn't hear a thing. There's a glare off Tsukasa's visor and Subaru can't see the expression on his face. Tsukasa raises his fake blaster and 'fires' at Gonta. Gonta stumbles back. And in a blink of an eye, Tsukasa darts forward, pulls his fake sword, and 'slices' Gonta's character. The scene is over before Subaru can organize his thoughts into words.
His words being, something is definitely not right here.
But what?
The play comes to a close. The cast bows. Luna, probably in an effort to embarrass him, reminds the audience to applaud his 'wonderful work' in the sound booth. Subaru thinks he hears his mom yell his name. He decides being visible is only a curse. And then the crowd is a mass of roiling, noisy people who steadily leak from the gymnasium until there are only a scattered few remaining.
Subaru sighs and turns off the switchboard. He's glad the whole ordeal, and it's weirdness, is over. He places a hand on his chest and feels his pulse beneath his palm maintaining an unusually rapid beat. He frowns.
"Turn that frown upside down!" Luna chirps in his ear.
Subaru doesn't startle. He knew she was there. But he doesn't appreciate her cheer. So he aims his frown at her.
"I never want to do this again." Subaru says.
Luna pats him on the back, consoling, "There there."
"It wasn't bad at all!" Gonta argues, "Everything went off without a hitch!"
"Yes." Kizamaro agrees, pushing his glasses up his nose, "Our execution was perfect."
Subaru doesn't want to be the one to point out that something did, in fact, go wrong. But he's a little surprised none of the others even realized.
Luna drags Tsukasa into the group. His green hair is slightly askew, likely from the wig swap. But his brown eyes are practically glowing with the attention. Luna rests one hand on Subaru's shoulder, the other on Tsukasa's, as she says, "And that little lighting trick you guys put together for Rockman's final appearance. Inspired! I think it really impressed the audience too. Way to take the initiative!"
"Thanks." Tsukasa says, looking a little too proud of himself.
Subaru pointedly doesn't say anything. His expression, similarly, betrays nothing.
He stays for the after-party for as long as he can tolerate. Which is, unsurprisingly, not that long. Luna lets him go. Or she's too caught up in her conversations with other students to notice Subaru slip out the gymnasium doors. This late into the night the air is chill in his lungs.
"What happened back there?" Warrock asks, sensing Subaru's discomfort.
Subaru shakes his head, "I don't know. For a second it was like a virus infected all the tech in the school. But that wouldn't usually cause such a massive outage."
"That doesn't explain you freaking out over it."
"No."
"So?" Warrock presses, "Care to explain?"
"I don't really want to talk about it." Subaru says, aware that his tone defaults to flat and cold. Whatever this new… panicky thing is, he doesn't want to acknowledge it. Doesn't want to add it to the list of problems. Problems he hasn't even begun to address much less deal with. Move on. What's that?
Just this once, Warrock leaves it be. In a fit of pique, Subaru thinks it's only fair given Warrock continues to harbor secrets about Hoshikawa Daigo and Space Station Peace.
"Su…"
Warrock's sudden warning is cut off as Subaru jolts to a sudden stop. There's a presence right in front of him.
Gemini steps onto the sidewalk from thin air, a knowing smirk on his face.
Subaru lays a hand on his transer. A way to let Warrock know he's ready to transform. But Gemini speaks before either can make a move.
"Don't worry, Rockman." Gemini's tone is smooth. Soft. There's no challenge in it. "I only came to talk."
Without moving from his ready stance, Subaru says, "Forgive me if I don't believe you."
Gemini shrugs, completely relaxed, "Transform if you wish. But don't blame me for wasting your time and energy."
The familiar flood of Warrock's energy is enough to make Subaru feel better, if only marginally. He has no idea how Gemini found him outside of denpa-henkan, but now is not the time to be worrying about it. Not with the paler half of the twin stars right in front of him.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Subaru asks, absentmindedly charging his blaster all the while knowing it won't do much against Gemini if a fight breaks out. It's the principle of the thing.
"I wanted to tell you." Gemini says, "Both of you. That I've promised my host to destroy this world." He tilts his head to the side, red hair spilling over white and gold armor, "And, believe it or not, I don't need the Andromeda Key to do that. So as long as you stay out of my way then you and your pitiful host may survive as long as this world does."
Subaru says nothing, reading Gemini for any signs of a lie. He's not good at reading people. But Gemini isn't insulting him or beating him to a pulp, so suffice to say, Subaru is a tiny bit convinced.
"My host bears you no ill will. But the same can not be said of my twin." Gemini continues, "So don't be a hero. Don't interfere. Know that your place is beneath me. And anything to you do or say to challenge that will end in swift termination."
Gemini falls silent and Subaru waits to make sure he's done. Why oh why did he have to have so many sucky conversations today? Gemini doesn't move. His red gaze is locked on Subaru. Waiting for a response. Subaru supposes he should provide one.
"Thanks for the courtesy call, I guess." Subaru's tone is clearly irreverent, "I'll take your suggestion into consideration."
The knowing smirk returns to Gemini's face. But he's already said his piece. His form fuzzes, shifts, and turns translucent in a rainbow of colors. Subaru can feel him go despite seeing nothing. And just like that, Subaru is alone again with just Warrock on his arm.
Subaru heaves a shaking breath and lets the tension bleed off his shoulders.
"This is not good."
"Understatement of the year, kid."
Blame this chapter on Cyan Quartz. Cause I was reading their review and they're saying things that sound an awful like 'this fic is good' and all I can think is 'do they need to get their eyes checked?' So I lack confidence in my writing, what else is new. In other news, I went back and read this fic and thought a peace offering after a 3 year hiatus is fair. I think I had more things to say, but y'all prolly don't wanna hear it. This chapter in a nutshell: iguessso12 starts teenage drama. You'll get some real action next chapter.
