Disclaimer: I do not own Honkai Impact 3rd
Please read the author's note but other than that…
Enjoy!
Schicksal was an organization dedicated to the defense of mankind. They were humanity's valiant defenders against the Honkai threat and to do so they needed to be vigilant and always be ready for a fight.
So it had been a strange revelation when I found out that St. Freya had summer vacation.
Granted that military academies actually gave their cadets vacation days it was still hard to associate that with the academy that trained the Valkyries of tomorrow. A Honkai threat could happen at any moment and Schicksal needed every warrior they had at their disposal.
But I wasn't complaining one bit when the last class had finished and summer vacation began in earnest. It was only a week of vacation but you could not ask for a better time for a time to start a vacation than in the middle of summer.
My classmates had various ideas of how they were going to spend their vacation time. Trips to the Bahamas, visiting London, taking a trip around Tokyo. All of them were trips I would've loved to go on with the 6th and 5th Valkryja Squads.
But there was one trip that took precedence over all others.
And that was…
"This was where you grew up, Haruto?" Mei asked me as our group got out of the train. Stepping onto the platform of the train station and taking a quick look around, I could not help but smile at the familiar sight of it all.
"Yeah, it's good to be home."
"This was where Haru-senpai lived?!" Kiana shouted as she took in the sights of my hometown. Stars were in her blue eyes as she spun around, drinking in the sights. "It looks so homey!"
"Yeah, it sure is." While I did not live right in the main cities, that wasn't to say that my hometown was shabby. It was a nice rural town located at the bottom of a mountain. The weather never got too hot in the summer here which was a welcomed atmosphere compared to St. Freya.
I had never been more thankful for the creation of summer uniforms.
"Really reminds me of those highschool anime," Layla commented as she brought her camera and started snapping away. Who would've known that the spunky sniper was also an avid photographer, though it was certainly a quirk that I didn't find strange for her.
"It has a nice atmosphere Senpai," Mashu spoke up as she adjusted the lavender sun hat she had on, taking in the sights of my hometown with a smile on her face.
"Does Haruto-san know any good places here?" Bronya asked as she snapped a photo of a building, seemingly joining Layla's photo taking.
"I'll be sure to give you guys a proper tour of the place," I commented as I looked back to see Himeko, Fu Hua, Keji, and Sora joining us. It had certainly been a little nerve wracking asking everyone if they were up for visiting my hometown, not wanting to force them out of any plans they might've had.
However surprisingly that wasn't the case! If anything it seemed like I was the only one who had a plan for a summer vacation and they agreed to tag along.
"But for now let's go get picked up first," I told them before I picked up my luggage and began to lead everyone to where we were being picked up. Walking through the station we got some stares from some people that I definitely recognized, though they were mostly directed at me.
It wasn't as if returning home for summer vacation was a rare sight, hell I spent winter vacation back here when I was in Chiba Academy.
But it was the fact that I had brought home a giant group of friends that had people surprised.
Fortunately I just ignored them as we stepped out of the train station and it didn't take long for me to find who was picking us up.
After all, red hair stuck out like a sore thumb in a crowd of people.
"Hey kiddos." Akane grinned as we approached her. "Took you long enough."
"Sorry Oba-san," I smiled at her as I hugged her, this being the first time seeing her since I began my time at St. Freya Academy. "It's good to see you again."
"Yeah, yeah," She nonchalantly replied back as she hugged me back. One might think that she was being insincere but I knew better, especially as I could feel her smile during the hug. "It's good to see you as well you little troublemaker."
"Akane-san," Mei greeted as she and the rest of the group caught up, giving their own greetings to the red haired woman. "It's good to see you well."
"And to you as well Mei," She smiled as she looked at the dark purple haired woman. A moment passed before that smile quickly turned into a mischievous grin.
"Say I never got around to calling back but how was your experience with my grandson?"
"I'm sorry?" I gave my grandmother a confused look before turning to look at Mei for answers, who had turned bright red at her words.
"I-I-It was nothing!" She shouted as she averted her eyes from me.
It didn't take me long to realize she was referring to the time that I had gotten sick and I couldn't help but bring my hands to my face, groaning painfully into them.
"Oba-san what have you done," I groaned as everyone started to laugh at my and Mei's misfortune.
"What do you mean? I did nothing wrong." My red haired grandmother replied innocently before she turned around.
"Well? Come along then children. Let's go get you guys out of here."
Motioning for us to follow her we followed my red haired grandmother to where she had parked a van that was large enough to fit all of us in it. After we placed our luggage in the trunk of the vehicle we all hopped in and soon enough my grandmother was driving us down the streets of my hometown.
Sitting in the shotgun seat of the van, I idly listened to the conversations made in the van in favor of focusing on the buildings and streets. It felt strange bringing everyone to my hometown, especially considering that I never once imagined that the place I grew up in was a part of a once fictional universe.
"Akane-san, are Haruto-san's parents' expecting us already?" Fu Hua asked in the back of the van.
"Expecting you hah!" Akane laughed at her spot in the driver's seat. "Hell the moment Haruto told them that he had gotten you all to come they've been cleaning the house nonstop, making sure it's immaculate for your arrival."
I couldn't help but smile at that. This was technically the first time I was bringing more than one person to the house and my mother was always one to make the house look immaculate. Just more reason for her to make the house look like it had been just built yesterday.
"Oh and Himeko?" Looking up at the van's backseat mirror, Akane gave her nephew a dark, amused smile. "My dear daughter is aware that you're here."
"Oh great," Himeko dejectedly slumped into her chair, not at all prepared for the conversation that was bound to come. "I'm going to need to get drunk after this."
In turn my grandmother laughed, no doubt already having thought of her nephew's response and most likely already had a stash of beer ready to go. Handling either her or Himeko drunk wasn't bad in of itself, but both of them at the same time?
That was something I was not looking forward to.
Some more light talk was exchanged in the van before eventually we pulled up a very familiar street. I had this entire street memorized, from the cracks in the pavement to the unique characteristics that had made each house stand out from each other, like the back of my hand.
And there was a singular important reason for that.
Stepping out of the van I couldn't help but nervously look at the building that stood in front of us.
Which so happened to be my house.
"Are you okay Haruto?" Mei asked my concerningly as she stepped out of the van, with the others following close behind her.
"Yeah," I told her as I turned around and gave her my best reassuring smile. "Just…a bit nervous, that's all."
That didn't accurately describe what I was feeling right now. It felt like my stomach was doing backflips in my body and it felt that if I moved then it would just burst out of my body and onto the pavement.
Thankfully the dark purple haired teenager simply nodded before everyone joined me and followed me as we approached my house. Each step I took up to the house's front door felt like I held the weight of the world and when I stood right in front of the door it felt like I was about to fight the Final Herrscher.
All by myself.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves I shakily raised my hand up and knocked on the door before taking a step back.
And almost immediately my knock had gotten a response from inside the house.
"Coming~!"
Hearing the tone of my mother made my face instantly pale. "Oh no," I muttered in horror.
My response got strange looks out of everyone as they looked at me in confusion. "Is something wrong?" Fu Hua asked confused.
"Yup," Was all I said right before the door swung wide open, revealing the grinning viage of my mother. Anyone could tell that the red haired woman had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
"I'm screwed."
If Mei could describe Haruto's Oka-san with one word it would be…
Surreal.
"Welcome, welcome!" The red hair woman gushed as she pushed the chair that Mei was sitting in deeper into the table where everyone else was as well. "This is the first time that our dear son has brought so many people home. Please get as comfortable as possible."
The dark purple haired girl thought she had an idea of how her friend's mother would act. She had already met his aunt and grandmother respectively, surely she couldn't be any different from the two of them…right?
Clearly she could have never been more wrong.
The way that Hana-san acted was very energetic, something that she would expect more out of Kiana's parents than Haruto's. She was not the only one who reacted to the mother's charismatic character as Kiana was instantly smitten with Haruto's mother, going as far as to call her 'Oka-san'.
Something that was encouraged by the woman.
Still Mei could not say that she hated it, if anything she enjoyed it. Especially when she got to see Haruto this embarrassed as he hid his red cheeks behind his hands.
"Thank you Hana-san. Forgive us for not visiting earlier." Fu Hua greeted cordially and Mei couldn't help but think back to the conversation that they all had after Haruto had revealed that they would be visiting his parents over the break.
It was unanimously agreed that they had to come up with a cover story for everyone, one that was carefully crafted so that they didn't reveal anything of their true occupation to their friend's parents. It would be foolish to drop such a heavy topic in a time that was meant to be about happy reunions and introductions.
It was also agreed that Haruto would not be privy to what they would discuss. Not that they wanted to initially but Layla had pointed out the fact that the red haired teenager was the one person who probably would not be able to lie to his parents.
They would have a better chance of success if they allowed Fu Hua to lead the talk and say what their cover was before everyone else spoke and they would build upon it.
"Yes yes I know how busy you've all been at your academy." The red haired mother replied offhandedly as she walked into the kitchen, where Haruto's father was currently in preparing snacks, and came back with a tray of water.
"Yes it has," The 6th Valkyrja Squad's A-Rank Valkyrie nodded in thanks as she was handed a glass of cold water. "We all had important internships to attend to so-"
"Oh do not worry Fu Hua-san," Hana interrupted cordially as she finished handing out all the water and took a seat on her chair, flashing Fu Hua a knowing smile. "I know that your lives as Valkyries are a very busy one."
The bombshell Haruto's mother had casually dropped had everyone looking at her in barely concealed shock. All of their meticulous planning that they had gone through had been seen through just like that?
Then the realization came that Haruto had not reacted the same way they had, even more considering it was his parents, and everyone in the room looked to their red haired friend, demanding answers. Seeing the looks thrown his way, Haruto embarrassingly averted his gaze from them.
"D-Did I forget to mention that they knew about St. Freya?"
"YES!" Layla shouted as she slammed her hands on the table, speaking what was everyone else's' minds. "Do you know how much stuff we had to make up and now we don't even get to use it!"
At least their red haired friend was embarrassed by his actions as he averted his gaze downward, his cheeks red.
In turn his mother simply shook her head at him, not at all surprised by his behavior. "My dear son, always so forgetful." She tugged on his cheeks, drawing a pained and embarrassed yelp from her son.
The shock of the revelation quickly faded as Fu Hua straightened herself in her seat, no longer trying to hide the fact. "Then speaking without masks and pretenses," The bluish gray haired teenager, not as a student but as Valkyrie, spoke. "Hana-san so you know what it is that we do then?"
"Yes," Hana confirmed for them as she looked at each and every one of them with a new light in her hazel eyes. "As much as it pains me to think about sending my only child to war, I cannot deny his determination in all of this,"
Turning back to face her son, Mei could see the unmistakably emotion of pride that the mother was showing her son. "I barely recognized who he was when I saw him last time."
"Our dear child caught all of us by surprise when he came back as a man," Haruto's father added, joining the conversation as he walked up to the table with a tray full of snacks. "I suppose we have all of you to thank for that."
"It's nothing," Mei answered back with a smile. "If anything it is us that should be thanking you for raising him so well. I can speak for everyone with confidence that he is a valued friend." Her statement got others to join in with their own words of affirmation which got Haruto's cheeks red at the praise he was receiving.
The red haired mother turned to look at her. "Mei-san was it?" The valkyrie in training nodded in confirmation to which Haruto's mother clapped in joy, a glint in her eyes. "I'm so happy to hear that,"
She was not scared by most things, not after Nagazora. What had happened to her in that city had trained her mental fortitude in ways that regular meditation or training could ever hope to achieve.
But the glint in Hana Nakamura's eyes…she couldn't help but shiver at the sight of them.
Thankfully the mother's attention swiftly moved to someone else at the dinner table as she turned her head to her other side."But there will be much more time for exchanging stories," Her eyes zeroed in on Himeko, who stiffened at the sudden attention she was getting. "Right now I have a much more…personal issue to deal with right now."
"N-Now, now," The 5th Squad Valkyrja, who had had the misfortune of sitting on the other side of Hana, held up her hands placatingly in peace. Very little could scare Himeko but in this moment it looked as if Death was looming right over her. "W-We can be cordial about this and-!"
"Oh I think the time of being cordial passed the moment you decided to not return my calls and disappear off the face of the planet." The mother interrupted as she reached forward and painfully tugged on her relative's cheek. "And where were you my younger cousin for all these years?!" She all but demanded from Himeko.
"I-I was being a Valkyrie!" The red haired Valkyrie tried to reason. "I couldn't exactly tell you what I was doing!"
"Oh really?!" Hana calmly refuted as she motioned to Haruto. "Because I just so happen to have a son who's a part of the same organization as you are and he told me this without problem."
Mei watched as Himeko directed her attention, with a look of betrayal on her face, to her nephew and mouthed the words 'traitor' to him. In response Haruto had an apologetic expression on his face as mouthed back a 'sorry' to his aunt.
Thankfully Haruto's father was quick to the rescue. "Now while I'm sure my wife would love nothing more than to grill you but we do have other guests present."
Now that she had gotten to meet and interact with both of her friend's parents, Mei couldn't help but see certain aspects that Haruto had inherited from them. From his father Haruto seemingly inherited the man's ability to calm others while he inherited his mother's seemingly limitless charisma.
Her husband's words had Haruto's mother gasp out loud. "I almost forgot!" Directing her attention to everyone the red haired woman formally introduced herself. "Proper introductions are in order. I am Hana Nakamura, Haruto's oka-san."
"And I am Toshi Nakamura, Haruto's tou-san," The father added as well. "It is a pleasure to meet you all at last."
Proper introductions were promptly exchanged between everyone and once Hana had learned everyone's names she joyfully clapped her hands together.
"Now then…" She started as she looked to everyone present, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes.
"I would love nothing more than to hear just how you got to know my dear son. And please, leave none of the juicy details out."
For the duration of that afternoon stories of their adventures at Nagazora and St. Freya Academy were exchanged. Hana and Toshi listened attentively as they heard the adventures of their son from the first day he had introduced himself to Chiba Academy, to when he and the others survived the now revealed Honkai Eruption in Nagazora, to how they became the 5th and 6th Valkyrja Squads.
Throughout it all Haruto's parents asked any questions that they had and they answered them to the best of their ability. When they had reached the part when her father had been wrongly labeled as a criminal it had felt strange explaining what Haruto had done for her to his parents.
When they had reached the part where he had planned her surprise birthday party Mei felt something shift inside her. It wasn't something that she could explain with words properly but her heart felt like it was flying through the saky as she talked about how he had given her the best birthday party she ever had.
So focused she was in telling her story that she wasn't aware of the smile that had taken shape on her face during her explanation.
A fact that was most certainly picked up on by the matriarch of the Nakamura family.
As the stories started to dwindle down and the daylight began to make way for the night, people in their group began to do other things. Haruto, his father, Keji, Bronya, and Fu Hua left early so that they could check into the lodgings that they had acquired for the duration of their stay here.
It wasn't like the Nakamura household could hold nine people, which didn't include those that called this place home already.
Akane and Himeko were the next to leave, stating that it was time for some to do some 'catching up' with each other. If her experience with her guardian A-Rank Valkyrie and with Haruto's aunt told her anything the two would be 'catching up' with each other at a bar of some sorts.
And that they were coming back drunk.
Then it was Layla and Mashu who requested to leave, stating that they wanted to see some more of the town together. The Nakamura matriarch was more than happy to allow them to explore, stating that cute pairs such as them should enjoy what the town had to offer them.
It was adorable to see Haruto's teammates blush and they quickly excuse themselves before they could be teased any further.
Though the cute atmosphere quickly faded when the dark purple haired girl realized that she and Kiana were the only ones left at the dinner table with Hana Nakamura…
Alone.
Now that wasn't terrifying or anything, it was just her and Kiana having a friendly chat with their friend's mother, nothing wrong with that. Yet despite that her instincts as a Valkyrie in training were screaming 'danger' at the sight of the red haired woman.
But she was just overthinking this, there was no way that her fears would actually be-!
"Now that it's just us girls left…" Any doubt that she might've had about what was about to happen dissipated at the mother's tone. Sitting in her seat, Mei couldn't help but stiffen up, her mind on high alert. "I have some questions that need some answering."
"Of course oka-san!" Poor innocent Kiana couldn't sense the landmine that they were slowly being led into and the only thing she could do was prepare herself for it. "We'll do our best to-!"
"What does my son mean to you?" Hana Nakamura interrupted with a sweet smile, eyes closed.
Her words had the temperature of the room instantly plummet, so much so that the sweltering heat of the summer heat was all but lost at the dinner table. It took everything in Mei to not yelp at the terror that was conveyed in those words while Kiana looked at Haruto's mother with a gobsmacked expression.
The sweet expression on the red haired woman's face never left, waiting for a response to her question.
It would be Mei that would first break the silence. "I-I'm sorry?" She stammered as she tried to hide her terror that she was currently feeling. "What do you mean by-,"
It became abundantly clear that the Nakamura wasn't joking around. "Exactly what I have said. What does my son mean to you?" She repeated her words once more, her tone unchangiing.
Neither two of them could give the woman an answer, too shocked by the bombshell that she had dropped on them. How could you give an answer to such a groundbreaking question that had been dropped without warning?
Their silence was more than an answer as Hana opened her eyes before she began to talk. "It is more than clear enough to me to know that everyone here sees my son as a valuable friend. Seeing how many people that I can confidently leave my son's life is very reassuring…yet with you two I can sense...something a bit more to it."
Hazel eyes fell on Kiana first, who jolted at the sudden attention. "If I understand it correctly, he was the first one to befriend you when you arrived in Nagazora, correct?"
"Y-Yes?" The Kaslana replied nervously, not a trace of her usual bravado to be seen at all. You knew it was serious if the normally joking white haired girl was left in a nervous state.
"And would you say that you value him very deeply, so much so that he has a special place in your heart?" The mother pressed.
"I-I-I-I…" Mei did not think that she would see the day where Kiana was left speechless as she tried to give an answer to Hana Nakamura, but failed as her words got her nowhere. It was clear as day that the white haired girl cared deeply for Haruto but under his mother's interrogation her conviction scattered like the passing breeze.
"Hana-san I don't-!" The dark purple haired tried to intervene and give her teammate some reprieve.
But doing so had placed herself right in the woman's line of sight as Hana swerved her head to look at her.
"And you Mei," She started as Mei couldn't help but shiver at the intense look in her hazel eyes. That was the look of someone on a mission, a mission that she would complete no matter what. "Not only were you the first person he befriended but he was also the first person to stand up for you when the world was seemingly against you."
"I have seen the way you look at him, the admiration in your eyes whenever he is close by." Mei couldn't help but jerk back at that revelation. She didn't look at Haruto like that…did she?
"So I ask you Mei Raiden," Hazel eyes narrowed seriously as Hana stared down the woman sitting across from her.
"What does my son mean to you?"
Mei opened her mouth to answer, only for no words to come out.
What did he mean to her?
"I…"
Haruto Nakamura, someone she treasured as a dear friend.
Yet…
Was that it?
Was that all she wanted him to be?
A friend?
"I…"
If that was the case then why did her heart clench painfully whenever she saw another female interact closely with the red haired teenager?
If that was the case then why could she not bear the feeling of being away from him?
If that was the case then why-!
"...Forgive me Mei-san," The Nakamura suddenly sighed, casting her gaze downward in shame. "It was not my intention to turn this happy vacation into something heavy. As a mother one cannot help but worry about their son's happiness. Forgive me for placing such a heavy question on you without warning."
"I-It is no worries Hana-san," Mei assured, thankful for the reprieve in having to answer the mother's question. "It is only natural to worry for your son."
Yet despite that the question still remained in her mind, itching for an answer. She pushed it away to the corners of her mind for the sake of finishing this conversation, knowing that she would ultimately have to confront it very soon.
Beside her Kiana eagerly nodded along, preferring to move on than to go back to that conversation that she had thought that she had been prepared for. Clearly she was so far off from being prepared in discussing the matters of the heart.
Hana smiled in gratitude for the ex-heiress' words. "Still to think how well I raised my son," She sighed proudly. "To think I raised such a lady killer that not only has most of his friends be women, but has a strong blond woman willing to vow on her life to keep him safe."
At that, whatever Mei was feeling instantly vanished as she processed the women's final words.
Strong blond woman.
There was only one woman that Mei could think of that fit the bill for Haruto.
"D-Durandal-san?" She hesitatingly asked, worried what answer she might receive.
And to her dismay a joyous expression took shape on Hana's face at the name drop. "Ah you know of her!?" The red haired woman clapped hands happily. "Isn't she just a jewel! Why when she was last here it felt like I was eating with the daughter I never had."
Mei simply smiled and nodded with the woman's words but there was a different emotion swimming in her thoughts.
It was always Durandal this, Durandal that…
A dark part within her reared its head.
What made her so special?
Before she could continue that dark train of thought Hana suddenly spoke up. "But I digress…" The red haired woman took a second to look around, making sure that whatever she was about to say wasn't about to be interrupted by someone.
Once she confirmed that they were alone, the Nakamura Matriarch leaned forward. "Say Mei, Kiana," She started, her tone grave. "Can you help me with something serious?"
Mei was surprised by the sudden request but looking at Kiana, the two nodded to each other before agreeing to the mother's request.
Seeing that they were on board the red haired woman started to share what was exactly on her mind. "You see tomorrow is…"
Mei Raiden moved on autopilot as she entered the mall that Haruto's hometown had. She barely registered what was happening around her as she walked through the establishment's sliding doors.
Her mind was simply occupied with too many things at the moment.
"Now remember you have to be as covert as possible!" She remembered Hana's voice telling her details of what she had wanted to tell them. "Can't be spoiling the surprise now can we?"
The 'surprise' was planned to happen tonight, not giving them much time to prepare and no room for failure. After being told everything she and Kiana had discretely informed everyone, except Haruto, telling them what was at stake.
Very quickly everyone was given a role that they had to fulfill to the best of their ability..
The 6th Valkyrja Squad would be tasked with running interference, ensuring that Haruto stayed blissfully unaware of what was happening behind the scenes. Layla and Mashu would drag their red haired teammate across the town, asking for the best places to visit while Fu Hua would help keep everyone else updated and play interference if she needed to.
The 5th Valkyrja Squad in the meantime would be responsible for running errands that needed to be completed or picked up before the surprise took place. Everyone else had the task of getting the location of the surprise ready for the big moment.
Hence why she found herself in a mall, she was here to pick up some last minute things.
However, being alone in the mall without anyone to talk to, or distract her, it didn't take long until her mind began to drift. Her loud surroundings did nothing to detract from this and very soon Mei found herself revisiting the problem that had been confounding her ever since she left the Nakamura household.
"What does my son mean to you?"
Watching a pair of children run past her the dark purple haired girl resisted the urge to sigh. That simple question, those simple words, had her more confused than she has ever been in her life.
She did not want to go back to thinking about an answer for that, but her mind demanded that she do so. To find an answer that would make everything that she was feeling make sense, to make all the pieces suddenly come together like a puzzle.
She just didn't know what that puzzle was.
Oh how she so desperately wanted her father, Ayaka, anyone, to help her go through whatever she was dealing with. It felt that any step she took in solving the problem at hand was filled with so much uncertainty that it felt useless to make any progress.
Walking inside a supermarket, Mei was reminded of why she had come here in the first place. She had been asked to gather some ingredients to help Hana cook a dish that Haruto loved to eat and seeing that she had an opportunity to show off her cooking skill the dark purple haired girl had offered to cook some extra dishes for the surprise.
So here she was, picking up a basket and going through the aisles of the supermarket, mindlessly grabbing the ingredients she needed to cook with.
However, even being in a place that would normally have her mind racing with different recipes to cook all her mind could do was come back to Hana Nakamura's question for her.
What did Haruto mean to her?
He was…
He was…
…
...
...
She didn't even know now.
The dark purple haired teenager was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed that there was something walking in her direction from her blind spot. The person then pushed into her and the basket that Mei had in her hands swiftly fell out of her grasp and hit the floor.
That jolted Mei out of her mind and back to reality. "A-Ah I'm so sorry!" She apologized profusely as she knelt down and hurriedly picked up the dropped items. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
"No, I should be the one to apologize." The person she had bumped into said as they crouched down to help pick up the dropped items. "I was the one not paying attention to my surroundings and-," Picking up the final object the person she had bumped into looked up to give a proper apology, only to recognize the person they had bumped into.
"Mei-san?" What were the chances that the person she bumped into was none other than Durandal herself.
Dark blue eyes widened at the sight of the Captain of the Immortal Blades. "Durandal-san?" She called out, surprised to find the blond S-Rank Valkyrie here of all places.
"A surprise to be sure but not an unwelcome one." Durandal smiled before she looked at the basket in the valkyrie-in-training's arms. "May I presume that you are here for the same reason as I am?"
Mei nodded in confirmation, knowing that if she was asking that question then she too had been invited for this surprise. "Did you come alone?" She asked as she looked behind Durandal, trying to spot the familiar color of her friend's hair.
"No," She answered. "Rita is currently helping Hana-san with preparations while Midori-san is helping run some last minute errands for her."
It was good to know that her friend was also here. If what Durandal was saying was true then the Nakamura Matriarch had been planning this for quite some time, having the foresight to invite the three Immortal Blades.
Then did that mean Haruto knew what was happening already?
Or was this just a coincidence of Fate?
"May I ask what you are doing here then Durandal-san?" Mei asked curiously, what reason could the Captain of the Immortal Blades have for being in the mall and not helping Hana-san with her preparations.
"I'm…" She started out before trailing off, an embarrassed blush swiftly forming on her face as she looked away. "I'm looking for a suitable gift."
It didn't take Mei that long to connect the dots of who this gift was for as she idly nodded to what the blond Valkyrie was referring to. "I see," Was all she said as she readied herself to say goodbye to the S-Rank and put as much distance as she could from her. She wasn't this rude to people, especially to someone that she could confidently call an acquaintance or even a friend…
But being this close to her…it brought out some…dark feelings within her.
Rage.
Hate.
Anger.
Jealo-!
"Mei-san," Durandal interrupted her internal dialogue, prompting her to look her in the eyes. "May I ask for your assistance in this? As the one who has known Haruto the longest I can think of no better person than to ask help from."
A part of her…felt relieved that she had thought of her so highly. That compliment soothed what turmoil she was going through but she could still it bubbling inside of her. Spending any more time with her could have these dark feelings rise once more within her…
But…
She smiled at Durandal, hiding what she was truly feeling at that moment. "I would be happy to."
Pushing down her dilemma as the blond Valkyrie smiled in gratitude, Mei quickly found and bought all the remaining ingredients that she needed to get before the duo began to navigate the mall, looking for a gift.
They made stops at numerous stores, checking out all the wares that were being offered, but none of them met Durandal's standards. Mei made no attempt to talk with the S-Rank Valkyrie, only giving input when asked, as she followed behind her blond superior.
It wasn't as if she was intentionally being rude, but her mind was currently turmoil and that divide she was experiencing was currently spilling over into her emotions and actions, whether she realized it or not.
Others unfortunately did as employees and other shoppers alike avoided her like she was the plague, not wanting to be caught up by whatever dark storm that was souring her mood at the moment.
But while others might have run from danger, some ran to it.
"This may be presumptuous of me to ask but is something bothering you Mei-san?" Durandal suddenly spoke up when they were in another shop browsing what wares they had to offer. "Your face has been pale and you seem to barely register things happening around us, it is…concerning."
"I-Is that so?" She sighed as she brought a hand up to her face to cover her shame. She didn't want to seem like she was angry or did not want to be here but she wasn't currently feeling her best. A vacation that was meant for relaxation and spending time with her friends…
And here she was brooding.
"Forgive me but my mind is…troubled by something." She said as she moved her hand away, hoping that the blond Valkyrie would not implore further of what was eating her up and leave her peacefully alone.
But of course Durandal would not be the revered S-Rank Valkyrie that she was if she shied away from helping others. "May I ask what is troubling you?" She asked as she turned to face her, giving the valkyrie in training her full attention.
Everything in her body screamed at her to say no but Mei knew by doing so would not only be incredibly rude, but also prompt the blond Valkyrie to just try harder. And if she did then this could potentially bleed over to the surprise and sour it.
And who knows, maybe asking one of the people at the source of her dilemma could help her come to an answer. "I-I was asked a question and it has me questioning everything." She eventually said.
"...I see," Durandal mused as she brought a hand up to her chin in contemplation, not expecting such a serious question to help solve. "And you believe that you must be stalwart in your final decision then?"
"Y-Yes," Mei replied back, a part of her felt ashamed in asking for help.
Doubly so when the blond Valkyrie didn't reply back as she simply nodded, turned around, and continued to look through the aisles of what the shop had to offer them, not giving Mei much choice but to follow her.
…that was it?
As they walked through the shop the dark purple haired girl began to feel more and more paranoid with each passing minute as Durandal remained silent, not at all taking the time to talk about what she had told her.
Perhaps sharing her woes was not the wisest decision to make. Opening her mouth, the valkyrie in training was about to ask Durandal to forget about her dilemma and focus on finding the perfect gift for Haruto.
But before Mei could utter a single word Durandal suddenly spoke up. "Tell me Mei-san," She started as she picked up a light gray scarf and tested its material. "Do you think that every decision I make is perfect?"
"Y-Yes?" Mei hesitatingly replied. She was Durandal Ataegina, Captain of the Immortal Blades. She was what every Valkyrie aspired to be, including herself as much as it hurt to say that in that moment.
"Unfortunately I am far from perfect," She shockingly revealed. "As the S-Rank Valkyrie of Schicksal my choices dictate not only affect me, but the lives of all my fellow Immortal Blades."
Placing the gray scarf back where she had gotten it, Durandal turned around and faced Mei once more, this time a somber look in her blue eyes. "Decisions that I believed to be for the best of the mission or my teammates, resulted in the harming or loss of my fellow sisters in arms."
Mei watched in shock silence, not expecting for her to share something like this, as Durandal continued to speak. "In my early days as an A-Rank Valkryie leading other Valkyries such loss made me hesitant to give out orders, worried that I would lead others to their death. I believed that I needed every decision to be immaculate and that I needed to do the same."
Bringing her own hand up Durandal stared at it, probably going down memory lane and reliving those painful times. Opening her mouth Mei was about to assure her that she didn't need to go through such painful memories for her sake, only for the blond Valkyrie to close her first resolutely.
"However I learned quickly that such doubt would not improve me as a Valkyrie, as a leader. If I wanted to become the leader that Schicksal needed then I needed to move past fear and learn from my mistakes."
Suddenly she placed a hand on Mei's shoulder in a reassuring manner. "It is normal to doubt if you are making the right decision, normal to think that you might be making the wrong choice. But do not let that doubt stop you from moving forward because if you don't, you will never find the right answer."
The dark purple haired Valkyrie's eyes widened at the lesson she had just been given but she couldn't help but nod gratefully to her blond superior. Suddenly the dilemma she had been going through felt tiny to what she had made it to initially feel like.
Yes, asking Durandal for help was looking to be a great decision made.
"Thank you Durandal-san," She honestly thanked the blond Valkyrie. No longer were dark feelings associated with the person standing in front of her anymore, now it was respect and awe for what she had told her.
Durandal just nodded before she turned around and grabbed a red scarf that matched Haruto's hair quite nicely. "This will do nicely," Nodding to herself she placed the item into her basket and turned back to Mei. "Now then Mei-san shall we head back? The surprise should be happening soon."
Nodding her head in agreement, the two quickly made their purchase before leaving the mall and making their way back to the Nakamura household.
And as she left the mall, a small conviction took shape in Mei's heart.
Ready to make a choice.
It was beginning to get late into the night when everything got ready. The entire backyard of the Nakamura household had been converted for a giant party. Decorations littered the place and one could see the effort and passion that was put into making this place look great.
Making light talk with Durandal, Mei couldn't help but get hit by a wave of deja vu as she looked at the decorations. It reminded her of-!
"Everyone sssh!" Keji softly shouted at everyone as he looked at his phone. "They're at the door!"
That got everyone to quickly quiet down and get into position and wait for the moment. A few seconds later the door to the backyard opened to first reveal Layla and Mashu, who quickly parted to reveal Haruto. Before he could fully register what was in front of him everyone quickly sprung into action.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all shouted as birthday poppers quickly showered the backyard in confetti.
Mei could not help but smile widely as she saw Haruto's hazel eyes widen in shock at what was happening. It didn't take long for him to connect the dots as his eyes drifted to the large banner that was behind everyone.
"Oh…it's my birthday today." He said dumbly.
"Looks like you forgot as well," Mei couldn't help but tease, wanting to get a little fun payback for the time she had been caught off guard by her birthday surprise.
Who would've thought that she would be returning the favor.
"Ha-ha Mei," He humored back as he took in the decorations of his backyard and everyone present, probably just realizing that everyone wasn't as busy as he was told to believe. "Very funny."
"I hope that the surprise was good." Durandal-san spoke up as she revealed her presence to him.
"Bianka?!" He cried out in shock, not at all expecting to see the S-Rank Valkyrie here. It didn't take him long before he connected the dots of why they were having this in his house's backyards, during the vacation that he had 'planned'.
"My oka-san set this all up didn't she?"
"Of course!" The woman in question announced herself with a cheeky smile as she came behind her son, giving him a massive hug. "What kind of mother would I be if I didn't embarrass my son in front of all his friends."
"O-Oka-san!" He cried out in embarrassment as she tried to get out of his mother's grip but to no avail, much to the amusement of everyone present as they chuckled at his embarrassment.
"Oh come now," Hana admonished him as she tightened his hold on him. "This is the first time I've seen you in a long time so just let me have this."
"Before that happens I believe Mei-san has something that she needs to do." His father spoke up which prompted everyone to look at her expectantly.
Nodding, she turned around and picked up a platter before approaching Haruto, who smiled at what she was holding.
"I believe this is the time where we sing Happy Birthday for our special celebrant." She smiled as Toshi-san walked over and helped light the candles of the cake that Haruto's mother had ordered for this specific day.
Everyone then sang the iconic song as one until the red haired teenager blew his birthday candles and started his special day's celebrations. Congratulations on a Happy Birthday were soon given, gifts following right after, and before long the party in celebration of Haruto Nakamura's birthday began in earnest in the company of beloved friends and family.
It was closer to the end of the night that the final surprise was unearthed, a nice way to end the festivities.
A mini firework show.
"This is something you see happen only in books or TV shows!" Layla grinned as she, Mashu, and Kiana were all huddled around Haruto's father as he prepared the fireworks for their spectacular launch.
"It's a bit of a family tradition that we have," Toshi informed them as he configured the fireworks. "Every birthday we have a little firework show, which makes the whole day more memorable."
As they prepared the final act everyone else was off doing their own thing, either talking in groups and exchanging stories or helping clean up what they could of the party.
And off to the side was Mei and Haruto, standing next to each other as they waited for the fireworks to happen.
"To think I surprised you for your birthday and now here we are you doing the same for me." Haruto chuckled at how this all turned out and Mei couldn't help but giggle. Yes Fate loved to work in mysterious ways.
"I never knew how hard it was to plan a birthday surprise until now." Mei confessed. Barring her own personal troubles early today the thought of something going wrong haunted her like her shadow. It had been a massive relief that everything had turned out so well.
"Yup it's a lot to do, especially with the pressure of not screwing up." The red haired teenager nodded knowingly before a calm, comfortable silence settled between the two as they waited for the show to begin.
Mei wasn't sure how long the two were silent for until Haruto suddenly spoke up. "Hey Mei…
He started before going silent, thinking how to convey what he was going to say next.
"Thank you."
His words prompted the dark purple haired girl to turn to him in surprise as he continued talking. "I didn't have a close knit group of friends growing up here and my birthdays were primarily spent with my family." She found that hard to believe, especially from him. She had always assumed that he had close friends growing up here so it came as quite a shock to be hearing this right now.
Yet Haruto didn't seem to be bothered about that, if anything he looked glad for it. "But now I have a new family to share this day with, a family that I am glad to have with all of you guys."
He then turned his head to look Mei directly in her dark blue eyes and smiled.
"So thank you for being in my life."
Mei's eyes widened at the admission and opened her mouth to say something in return, only for Haruto's father to suddenly shout.
"It's about to happen everyone!"
His announcement had everyone turn to face where the fireworks were and waited as they were about to launch into the sky. Yet while everyone's attention was on the fireworks…
Mei's attention was elsewhere.
Specifically still on the red haired teenager that had done so much for her.
Looking at her friend Mei's mind could not help but drift back to the question that had been left unanswered.
"What does my son mean to you?"
Haruto Nakamura…
He had been someone who she could call a friend.
But then…
"Do you think I am that sad of a human being to seek Mei's friendship because of her status? I am honored to be Mei's friend so whether you like it or not I'm not going anywhere." He declared hotly in front of Chiba Academy, standing his ground against Ryne and the world.
He had become someone that Mei treasured closely to her heart.
Then he gave her the world when all seemed lost…
"You've become an inspiration for me-, no that's not true. You've been an inspiration to me ever since the day we met." He told her as the two stood in front of each other and were about to dance on the night of her birthday.
And even when she had become a Herrscher…
"I have nothing to fear from you, after all you're Mei and I know Mei would never hurt me." He smiled as he stood in front of her Herrscher possessed self, no fear as he looked at the envoy of destruction she had been.
He still chose to stand with her.
And now…
"Thank you for being in my life." He thanked her as the two of them stood in his backyard, waiting for the fireworks to light the night sky on the day of his birthday.
It suddenly became so clear to her, the answer that she had once dreaded. Except there was no dread to it, no dark emotion underlining the revelation. Instead her heart beated with joy and liberation as she could not help but smile a bit more.
The answer was so clear to her that it made what she had gone through almost silly.
So as the fireworks in the Nakamura backyard went off, lighting the night sky in explosions of color…
Mei Raiden found her answer.
One that was as clear as the fireworks exploding in the background as she looked at Haruto Nakamura.
"What does my son mean to you?"
…
…
"Haruto Nakamura…"
…
…
"I love you."
Bet you weren't expecting this kind of chapter now did you! XD
Just felt that this was a great place in the story for Mei to finally confront her feelings about Haruto that she's been confused about for a while. It's a bit shorter than the usual but I think that what this chapter has more than makes up for it.
What did you all think about this chapter? I hope that Mei's realization of her feelings lived up to the expectation and hoped you all enjoyed it.
So…
This story will be going on a Hiatus-ish.
Fall Semester is right around the corner for me and in a new college I have to take it more seriously than I did before so chapter updates probably won't be happening for a while. And I've wanted to take an 'official' break from this story to help ease fatigue for awhile and instead of deciding to leave you hanging on the previous chapter I decided that I should leave it off on a great emotional one.
So that's that…
Welp that's all for this chapter. If you enjoyed it, drop a fav/follow/kudos as they really help me out with creating great chapters. Reviews are deeply appreciated, they're the biggest motivation to keep writing, and if you have a question or a really interesting theory I am more than happy to reply. Please be patient if I don't respond to you super fast. Even if I don't respond to your comment for whatever reason, know that I read each and every one of them! PMing me is the best way for me to respond to your questions.
Peace!