-Disclaimer: I do not own the Air gear series.
Chapter 4
"Your friends are pretty interesting Tobi-kun."
"I hope they made it home safely."
"I'm sure they will, they aren't baby chicks after all and you gave them a lift out of the forest." Simca laughed softly behind him as if laughing at a joke only she understood.
"True, though I might have to watch my step around Onigiri san now." The perverted student was leaking so much killing intent from below the forest and Tobi could visibly see the stand glaring at him throughout the day. Ikki was annoyed by him fogging up the training area with his breath so he knocked Onigiri out to Tobi's relief. Directing all that killing intent at Tobi made Onigiri blind to Ikki's attack.
After the training ended Tobi wrapped vines around his student and a bit more vines around the unconscious Onigiri. Then gave them a quick lift to the forest's edge with some money for drinks and instructions on what Tobi believed they should be doing to develop their bodies.
Ikki and Kazu went back home carrying their unconscious friend with them.
"True but I'm sure you'll be fine, anyway your friend crow-kun. He is pretty interesting." Tobi was not aware of how the two knew each other, but from how Ikki and Simca's conversation went. It was a passing acquaintance.
"Ikki sure is, I did not think he would be able to run more than a few laps." After seeing Simca when they landed Ikki talked to her a bit before the pink-haired woman cheered him on and he ran harder than before. Kazu not wanting to lose, soldiered on, and followed him.
Ikki's crush was pretty obvious so Ringo is going to have to work harder to secure her place in the crow's heart.
"So, Simca-san where shall I drop you off?" She was still attached to his back and he was back in the forest running over the treetops. Relaxing a bit he just let the wind lead him in a random direction.
"Can't you carry me forever, I like it here." Snuggling into his back, Simca made herself comfortable.
"... I could but don't you have your job at that shop plus I have school." He loved having her on his back that was a simple undeniable truth but he really needed to go home and prepare for the next day.
"We could work something out?" Pressing her face into the crook of his neck she whispered "Ne ne. Can you go out of the forest and into the city? I'm sure it would be a good place for you to fly over."
The winds were stronger in the city, Simca was sure it would be a much more enjoyable ride if they went through the city. Left unsaid was the fact that she wanted her friends to see him fly once more. Already the data of Tobi's flight earlier had been sent to a secure server to be studied, the more data they had the better.
She felt a bit bad for using an underhanded way to gather more data but this was for Tobi's own sake. The more data they had the easier it would be to plan what kind of AT's best suit him. The best the former Ring Queen could envision that an AT suit might fit the delivery boy. It was going to take a while to make it but she was sure he was worth it besides it helped them learn more about the secret of flight within his body.
"I promised your brother that I would not get myself involved with storm riders." Her eyes shot open as she flinched slightly. In response to her fear Tobi turned his head back and gazed into her eyes.
"Are you ok Simca-san?"
"... Are you a member of the forest?"
"Kilik did say they parted ways maybe it was more violent than I expected. If she's showing this much distress."
"Oh, are you talking about Sleeping Forest? No Kilik-san wanted to offer but I think he preferred if I stayed away from AT's in general." Her breathing relaxed slightly. "He just came to meet me this morning to talk to me."
"Kilik, came out to talk to you." The thought of her brother ever leaving the tower at all did not occur to her. She expected him to send someone else in his stead. 'Well, I guess even he would make an exception for this.'
"Yes, he skipped his breakfast so we ended up sharing mine." She tilted her head to comprehend what he said before giggling.
"Kilik and you had breakfast. What did he eat?"
There were no more birds flying in the sky, it was just the two of them. The moon started to rise on the horizon.
"Some onigiri, not my best work. I was sort of busy last night so I didn't really get enough sleep to make a proper breakfast."
"I like to try some."
"All right I'll prepare a batch for you next time."
"Next time eh? I still don't want to get off your back."
"It be best if you do, don't you have a shift tomorrow at the AT shop?"
"Ohya, you remembered my schedule?"
"Well yes, I always see you there when I do deliveries."
"I didn't know you paid that much attention to little old me."
From the flirty tone she spoke and the Cheshire smile she had on her face, Tobi felt like he walked into a trap.
"Anyway, I don't mind dropping you off." Moving the conversation forward, Tobi slowed down his speed the edge of the forest was soon in sight. Simca was one thing but it would be a bad thing if someone from the city caught sight of them.
"Are you really not going to fly home?"
"Kilik told me that it was dangerous and my life would be ruined if people knew my identity." The forest was quiet and tranquil. But as Tobi reached the edge of the forest, noises from the bustling city started to reach their ears. From people going about their nightlife to advertisements playing on large screens and vehicles.
"I could offer you protection. Under me, you can fly wherever you want."
"That's a tempting offer Simca-san but I gave my word."
"Ah, your pretty set on this but I guess that's a good thing about you."
"So where shall I drop you off." Reaching into her pocket Simca pulled out her smartphone. It looked like a high tech model.
"Hmm, about that how about-" Peering into her phone Simca unlocked it and started texting someone as Tobi looked away making her giggle again. "Normally guys want to look into a girl's phone."
"A part of me is curious but it's rude."
"You're such a good boy." Snaking her hand towards his head she petted him.
The phone vibrated signaling that Simca received an important email saving Tobi from further humiliation. Even then she still leaned into Tobi's ear and whispered "As much as I want nothing more than teasing you Tobi-kun. Your right it is late and we should head home. My address is Unit 202 Street number-" As she spoke Tobi's eyes widened slightly.
"That's near my room are you my new neighbor?"
"Yes, that unit next to yours has been empty for a while now right. It was on the market so I bought it recently."
"That's interesting, the landlady did not say anything to me about new tenants."
"I'm sure it must have slipped her mind." Well, the lady was in her older years so she must have forgotten, he should check up on her to see if she's all right. "Now, chop-chop. Spread your wings once more, and let's moonwalk through the night sky Tobi-kun."
He could feel her pressing deeper against his back and his hormones screamed at home to go along with what she wanted but he needed to stand his ground. "Can't do that Simca-san." The reply made earned a frown. "But I can make the trip home interesting."
"Hou?"
"Geppo was not the only technique I learned."
"Kilk, trying to impress your sister is going to lead to the death of your new friend."
Throughout a single day, Onibashi lad learned a lot about Tobi Kaname. He had concluded that the teen was a magnet that just attracted storm riders. It was not that the boy meant to do it but his kind was just naturally attracted to people with close connections to the sky.
While he concluded that the boy was of no threat to the forest the same cannot be said for Simca and Genesis.
The electric field around him was now fully charged the moment he arrived back in the city. In the forest, he had to conserve his power and ended up unable to prevent Simca from making contact with Tobi Kaname. There was nothing the Sleeping Forest king could have done without triggering her or the people that were tailing her of his presence.
SpitFire had brought in one of his teams and they scoured the forest, the moment they found him the entire forest was going to be a battlefield. The irony of him, a member of Sleeping Forest having to hide from his enemies in an actual forest was not lost on him.
Using the rising road Onibasu was able to stay hidden among them. Thankfully it was just SpitFire and Simca, there was no other king from Genesis coming.
The moment Simca entered the forest, it seemed that Tobi Kaname's fate was now sealed. Both him and Itsuki Minama, the boy adopted by the Noyamano sisters, were going to get forced into their world eventually.
Under the moon, he briefly let down his magnetic field and texted today's events to Kilik. His leader would not be happy with this development. Looking up from his phone he shut it off before bringing back his magnetic field camouflaging himself again. Taling his target through the city, he wondered how the source of all his current headaches was bounding over buildings. He was not soaring through the air just appearing briefly on one building before phasing out and appearing on the next.
That had caused the Lighting King to blink underneath his straps and focus. The way Tobi moved was familiar to him it was brief but Onibasu saw the boy was visible for a brief moment when he landed on a surface.
Focusing he saw the boy kick the ground consecutively 10 times allowing him to disappear from normal sight.
"That is soru!" Soru and Geppo were similar in nature so he could rationalize what he was seeing. If one was capable of one technique it was natural that the other was usable.
"But… what if it's just not the end. What other techniques was he able to learn?" That was horrifying in its own way than his mind wondered if the boy was able to replicate other CP9 techniques. If he knew the storm leg then the boy was a potential Fang king candidate.
"Wait... could it be that he-"
The world of One Piece was vast and had a lot of dangerous martial arts. Those that were dangerously similar to the abilities of the kings and regalia from Sleeping Forest and Genesis. Fisherman Karate which uses water as a weapon. The techniques he read of from the manga were way more powerful than of Om's, the Water Queen of Sleeping Forest even if she had her original regalia. Then there was Diable Jambe which made use of heat to...
Dots connected in his head as more possibilities came to mind.
"Has... has he long surpassed- " That line of thought was cut out immediately, once his assignment was done and someone came to replace him. He was going to have a long talk with everyone. If what he suspected was true then they were going to have to rethink everything they knew about the limits of humanity.
If a seemingly normal person could achieve this, what does it say about them? Surely it meant that they too could reach new heights.
If there was any consolation for this night, it was watching the Genesis riders curse as they lose sight of Tobi Kaname multiple times and run around like headless chickens.
Using his regalia he canceled some cameras that might have seen his target. "After this I want to have words with this natural wonder, making me work and worry so much."
"We're here Simca-san." Landing softly in front of his apartment Tobi let out a breath of relief, then took in a deep breath. The events of the day had tired him out.
"Wow, that was fun" Her hair was a bit messy from the ride but the smile on her face never faded as she hung onto Tobi. "I am going to enjoy reading One Piece." Already she had ordered people to buy the manga and anime for her to watch. It was hilarious how it was a manga of all things that taught a person to fly instead of ATs. She laughed herself nearly till she choked in the forest at that revelation.
"Do you normally use Soru when you make deliveries?"
"No just normal running, Soru would make things spill."
"Here's your room Simca-san" Walking towards the door labeled 202, Tobi turned his head to look at Simca. She reached into her shorts and rummaged around them before frowning.
"Ah, I forgot my keys." Then with pleading eyes, she turned to Tobi "Can you let me stay in your room tonight."
"Oh, well I can't leave you out here at this hour." Going back towards his room as the girl cheered, Tobi unlocked his door.
"It's not much so I hope you enjoy your stay." Inside they were met with a green tatami mat and a kotatsu. It was a modest one-room apartment with a bathroom. The kitchen sink was filled with some dishes Tobi was unable to clean in the morning.
Around the room were stacks of manga and a used laptop near a folded up futon.
"This is a cozy apartment" Entering the apartment Tobi kneeled and took off his shoes. "Simca-san, please take your ATs off."
"Okay." The girl just took her ATs off and let them drop neatly on the floor. However, Tobi's internal struggle between happiness and awkwardness. She refused to get off him. They were still strangers and Tobi was a bit weirded by her closeness. After all, they were at best acquaintances but like Kilik… he felt that they really needed to get a load off their chests, and flying through the sky seemed to do did the trick for them.
"Do you want to use the shower, I'm going to make some dinner for us."
"Oh, what are you going to make?"
Giving up on her even leaving his back Tobi just calmly replied. "Making some mutton stew with noodles. They had a sale recently." Walking towards the kitchen, he reached into his fridge to get the meat and vegetables out.
"Want some help." Her hands snaked over his shoulders and reached for the ingredients.
"Sure but let's take your gloves off and wash our hands first."
Tobi hoped he could eventually help the siblings reconcile. Unlike him who never knew what it meant to have a family, they were both alive.
How he would do that was a question he would ponder over the night.
"Spitfire, I feel like we should leave them be at this point." A fair distance away from the apartment complex. Stood a few members from the world's largest storm rider team Genesis.
"Yes, at this point we are nothing more than voyeurs peeping in on them." The Flame King spoke half-heartedly, his full attention was on a book. He had been flipping the book back and forth rereading a few pages. Replaying the scene of a delivery boy soaring through the sky and trying to rationalize how it could work with the bare bones explanation in the book. "We already sent all the footage for Ine to analyze."
"Hmm. What volume are you on?" A black-haired young man spoke up, he was dressed similar to SpitFire. He was Cokefire, a loyal subordinate of the Flame King.
"The Enies Lobby arc, I was told to skip to this arc after getting a crash course through the series and the previous arcs."
"Ah, that makes sense for you." The king raised an eyebrow at him.
"Something I should be aware of."
"That would be spoilers, you'll enjoy it."
"Funny the others said the same thing." Smiling at what the King would eventually learn of Coke Fire looked back at the apartment.
"What do you think of Tobi Kaname?" His king was someone who once tried to achieve the sky regalia, Coke Fire was curious to know what he thought about this new rider.
"Catharsis, envy, and hope." The king looked away from the book to regard his subordinate. "I felt happy that even without ATs it's possible for people to fly and it reminded me of what I really wanted to do. To fly freely in the vast sky."
Glancing away from the book he stared at the apartment. "I felt envious a bit that Simca chan was hogging him all to herself but she seemed so raptured at the moment so I let her do what she wanted." It had been a long time since he saw that happy and at peace. Besides as the owner of the Flame Regalia, SpitFire had an unfair advantage over everyone as he could use it to unlock the secrets of Tobi Kaname's legs later on. "She's worked so hard nurturing riders so this could be the world rewarding her. I'm sure she will find ways to let us all fly from him and if we can. Coke we will not need to climb the tower anymore."
That was his hope if Tobi Kaname could teach them all to fly on their own. They would not have to assault Trophaeum Tower where the current Sleeping Forest resided. He would not have to confront his old friends once more. Sure there will be those that disagreed with their decision but he was confident the majority will be satisfied.
Already the information was spread through confidential members and the kings.
The leaders of Trident, the Genesis constituent team in Osaka which had combined power of all the storm riders in Western Japan were mauling over the information. Alongside the leader of Behemoth and his four generals, another large subsidiary team of Genesis. Both heads of these teams wanted to learn more about Tobi before coming to a decision.
Nue the current lighting king on the other hand wanted to meet Tobi Kaname right away and SpitFire hoped that the young king would not act rashly.
As a courtesy, Tool Toul To's leader Ine Makigami was informed mostly to provide medical support and help them learn about the teen's body. Using her position as the head of her own hospital she had asked for the transfer of Tobi Kaname's medical records and as of this moment was studying them. Her team was a special case being a neutral team composed of tuners who tune King's regalia and helped everyone. This time however the team was working as a personal favor from Simca and Spitfire.
The rest of Genesis however were kept in the dark about this discovery. After all, if they let Nike Takeuchi the true founder of Genesis know of the boy's existence then his life would be crushed under the Jade road.
To protect the spark of hope, the Flame King would do whatever he needed to protect it. Even if it means going against Nike and his brother Sora.
Author's note: I've been putting in a lot of descriptions in my chapters of the world of Air Gear. A friend who I was asking to help me with it was really clueless about the series other than the anime so I'm hoping to fill in people of some of the backstory and lore to those who are new to Air Gear. Hope it is not annoying to read.
