Author's Note: Hi everyone! It's me again and I'm now in the great summer vacation! That means I will certainly have lots of free time to write. Thus accelerate my updating process. Actually, I've just finished my 11 grade and I'm going to be a 12 grade student soon by definition, university is near. Well, I don't have as much free time as expected but still, I can afford some spare time to write my story. Today, I present you the chapter 2 of this story. ENJOY THE CHAPTER!
Words behind the Mask
Chapter 2: Who Are You?
No… No … No! Please don't hurt me!
Sally!... Are you alright?
I'm so sorry…
I'm so sorry that I'm not strong enough to protect you
I'm so sorry that I couldn't even help myself…
Please … help me …. Someone…
Makoto… Tsubaki!
Father… Mother …
Jin …
The blonde girl found herself drowning within the pitch black, bottomless pool of water, suffocated her as she tried to swim up and escape in vain. The more she struggled, the more desperate she felt. Her body was so sore, all of her arms and legs were as heavy as stone and didn't move on her will. Her eyes closed little by little, her end was there, and right in front of her eyes was an angel extended her hand, calling for her soul.
I still want to leave…
Right?
I still have many things to do…
Noel! Noel!… Wake up!
Everything shook violently; a distorted yet somehow familiar voice came out from the deepest part of her mind. The sole spot of light appeared and enlarged. The girl felt like her body was pushed from behind with unimaginable force and finally a wave of air rushed into her lungs as she was freed from the water. She coughed again and again, tried to inhale as much as possible. Everything turned into a white, flashing color.
"Uhhh Uhhh…" A shining beam of light intruded into her weak eyes, the girl raised her arm to cover it and slowly got herself up. All of her senses were as numb as if they were shocked by electricity.
As her vision got clearer, all she could see was Sally cried out happily and some horses drinking water in the tray at the corner. They were staying at a roomy place and she was lying on the mattress of straw. More confused than ever, Noel looked around once more and shook her head to gain some consciousness. That was reality…
She was still alive…
Safe and sound… with her partner.
"I'm so worry about you! I thought you were …!" The navigator let out a tear of relief and embraced the other girl.
"Where … am I?"
"This is our stable. You two are lucky to have a shelter to hide in the last night storm." The two girls turned their heads. A young boy wearing loose lederhosen, his hand was holding a long, wooden trident, stabbed a stack of straw next to him and put it near the horses. Behind him was an older boy, perhaps his brother, holding a long, blue dress.
"How … how did we get here and … what are these?" Noel looked at herself. Her arms, her thigh, her ankle and her head were bandaged carefully and neatly. Once again, she recognized the fact that she was hurt by the thugs while Sally was caught as hostage. Her hand trailed along the back of her head and felt a faint sensation of pain.
That's right. I was backstabbed… and fainted.
Wait, who did bandage my thigh like this?
Well, … a strange guy came to our house last night …
The night was very stormy. Thunder roared fiercely and flashed the whole sky with lightning. Downpour of rain coated the land with a thin layer of water as the water level of the river rose quickly. The two boys were sitting still inside their warm and safe house. The peace was broken by the sound of someone knocked the door.
"Who would come at this late of night?" The younger boy said.
"Well, maybe a homeless guy who need a shelter." As they opened the door, a weird, overwhelming figure of man carried Noel bridal style and piggy rode Sally on his back. He stared at the two, who couldn't do anything but being paralyzed in fear.
"W-Who … are you!"
"You don't need to know about that… I want you to give these girls a place to stay overnight. They are injured."
"But…but …but…"
"Hurry! I don't have time for your meaningless stammer. What a waste of time!" The man sent them a death stare that chilled them to the very marrow of their bones.
"Y-Y-Yes sir. This way, please…" They led him to the stable, where he laid the girls properly and treated them.
"Wait a second … before I fainted … I remembered seeing his black coat. It's him again?"
"Did he wear a black cloak? Did you get to see his face?" The boys looked at each other then shook their head.
"He indeed wore black cloak. He even wrapped it around you." Noel touched the soft fabric that covered her thighs; it was a very wide, pure dark colored cloth.
"But … his face hid behind a blue mask so we didn't see it."
"Did he say anything else?"
"He asked us to give you this when you wake up." The older boy handed Noel the dress he was holding. Unfolded it, she gasped in awe. It was a splendid, pure silk dress that a normal person like her would never dream of holding it in hands let alone possessed it. Sally couldn't let her eyes off the dress.
"Wow, It's … gorgeous! Hurry Noel, you should try it!"
"I …know. This thing is just … wow. I don't know what to say. It is very expensive."
"We should leave now. Take care, ladies." As soon as they went away, the lieutenant removed the cloak and noticed a piece of paper written: "Just rest until you are fully healed, don't rush yourself. By the way, the dress will suit you perfectly." Noel blushed at the words. She surely was famous within every kind of society thanks to her kindness but rarely did she receive someone's care like this.
"Woah, Noel! You have a secret admirer. That mysterious guy is such a gentleman. I wonder what his face looks like!"
"Yeah… he saved us." Took off her torn uniform, she put on the dress and tried a few elegant moves.
"You look like a princess! I wish I could have one. You're so lucky …" Her speech was interrupted by the beeping sound of the phone. Picked it up, Sally answered.
"Hello, this is Officer Sally Elena. Awaiting orders." The other girl immediately recognized the caller identity.
"This is NOL HQ. Report your situation?"
"We … don't know. We are beaten unconscious by the opponents but someone saved us."
"Return to the base and get ready for a new mission."
"Sir, Lieutenant Noel Vermillion is injured. Can she have some medical support and take a temporary absence until she is fully recovered?"
"My apologies, that's not in my authority to decide that matter. We can only provide information and transportation." Sally clenched her hand holding the phone as if she wanted to grip the caller's face in anger. However, she couldn't do anything else in this situation.
"Understood." Sighed in frustration; the girl turned the phone off and looked at Noel.
"Can you still walk?"
"I guess yes. The wound is not too serious after all." Sally smile and took her hand.
"Let's go back."
As the two arrived at the main gate, they met the blond major walking in opposite direction. He stopped before them and stared at Noel from head to toe with a weird look on his face. It was very hard to tell whether he was feeling annoyed or something else.
"M-Major"
"Hum… Who allow you to where this piece of garbage in this place? Where the hell is you uniform!" He shouted.
"But we …"
"Just go away! Anyway, you are removed from the next mission. Those damn pigs in your mission are all in the jail. I can't believe that I have a such worthless subordinate like you!" He scolded
Jin walked past them and looked over his shoulder.. "Stay at home. You are totally useless with those injuries!"
"Geezz, He is so cold! How can you be his secretary from the beginning?"
Looking at the major's back, Noel let out a faint sigh mixed with sorrow. "We had a promise in the past… He was a very kind guy..."
At the Military Academy,
"Haiizzz, finally! School is over…" Jin sketched his arms upward and let out a tired yawn. Being the president of Student Council did bring so much responsibility over his shoulder. There was hardly a day of his without disciplining, solving problems, helping friends … Looking through the window, he saw the groups of students going home, chatting or playing at the backyard. He let out a smirk and tried to enjoy the peaceful moment of his own. However, the position in the Council was not the only thing that bothered him. His duty as the next head of the Kisaragis was also a great weight that he couldn't ignore. He had to be the best as everyone expected him to be an excellent individual that led the family to glories and honors in the nearby future.
Walking toward the table, he closed the note, threw it upon and laid his back against the armchair. The day had been very exhausting to him and he closed his eyes, imagined how he would be in the future.
"I will have so much things to do… being the heir… having a big family… no no, just a small one is enough, marry a normal wife who will understand me and always be by my side… and we will live a happy life with children. Haiizzz, What a dreamy life!"
Knock knock knock…
"Why can't I have a little rest?" He thought.
"Huh! Come in" His eyebrow arched as he recognized the comer.
"Hi, do I bother you?" The blonde girl said softly as she opened the door and entered.
"No, it's fine. I'm just taking a break. I thought you are with Makoto and Tsubaki."
"Oh, they went to the dormitory first. I just have something to do."
"Really? Then, how can I help you?"
With a smile, Noel handed him a cup of hot tea. "This is for you."
The scene of it melted his worn-out brain, filled his head with delight. He looked at it without blinking for a while then turned at her. "You …you made this…for me?" He took the dish and the cup.
The girl blushed "Well… you must be very tired after a day working hard. I hope this would help you a bit. Treat it as my thanks for your help this whole time. Y-You are very kind to me."
"It's nothing big. I… oh well,… thank you." He took a small gulp. It was very refreshing and washed away all of his stresses. He took some more calmly and enjoyed the scent to his heart content.
"Wow… I just can say this is very good! ... It is very nice to have you here…" Noel flushed even more at his words.
"I'm glad that I can help. By the way, I have to go now. I may bother you enough." The girl walked toward the door.
"Errrm … Noel." Jin said like a whisper.
"Huh?" The girl turned back.
"Can you …stay here for a little longer? I just feel a little bit lonely here. It's too quite after all."
"I guess it is ok." She smiled.
The girl closed the door and sat down next to him. Listened to his talking about his day, his stories … It seemed that he actually enjoy her presence in the room. As for Noel, she really was surprised by his sudden change of friendliness. He would never say something like this to her especially not in this soft, open tone. The more she listened, the more wonderful man he was in her eyes.
"I just wish that you could be like this more often." She thought.
"I guess I have to go home now. Makoto and Tsubaki must be waiting for me."
"Oh, see you later then."
"Goodbye."
"Oh Noel…." He called again.
"Huh?"
"I…I…Uhm…thanks for listening to me. You know, it is great to have someone share time with me."
"You are a kind guy. I just hope that I can be a great help for you."
"Well then, will you be my secretary, now and later?"
"Really! I will! I promise that I will be your best assistant for now and even when we are older. I will always be by your side!"
"I really didn't expect him to become this cold and distant. But I still have faith that one day, he will come back to the old Jin I know."
"Awww… I really wish your dream come true! … oh, I have to go now! My boss is calling. See you later, Noel! I put my phone number is in your right pocket. Please contact me if I can help you with anything."
Then the navigator made her way to her office, left the blonde girl behind.
"Haaa… a day off for me, huh? I wonder how Ronin Gai looks like. I've never been there before." And she took this rare chance to visit Ronin Gai which was once called Ikaruga, a city that was entirely razed by the NOL during the Second War of Magic. It was a terrible tragedy as the soldier fought against the citizens that they supposed to protect. Since then, there were no more sounds of the people of Ikaruga until the return of the survivors of the war. They together rebuilt the city and named it Ronin Gai, a beautiful and lively city. Walking along the road, Noel could feel the peace that she could never find in any other places. It was so quite yet never lack of people's presence and their cheerful spirits. Stopped at the long bridge, she could find herself standing at the very high ground of Ronin Gai and displayed before her eyes the whole view of the city.
"Amazing…. Woah!" She couldn't help but gasped before the magnificent effort of people here. The city was so huge and wonderful. Shot her look at the corner of the town, a crowd of men was trying to pull a gigantic windmill's sweep as it was broken by an unknown incident. But somehow, the land underneath wasn't smashed by its weight and was covered in a thin layer of water.
"Errr… I'm sorry but why the ground wasn't crushed and there were flood down there?" She asked a pedestrian.
"Oh, for Lord Bang Shishigami's sake! The whole thing was a disaster! We've just tried to assemble the wheel to its place but …well, a man stumbled on his feet and we all were pulled by the wheel! But there was a man in black coat helped us. He cast some kind of weird magic that form a wide ice platform to hold it." Upon hearing the story, Noel's eyes widened and she grabbed his shoulder.
"The man in black coat! Do you know which direction did he go?" Taken back by the sudden actions, the man pointed at the highest roof of the city.
"I don't know but it seems that he is having some "talk" with Lord Bang Shishigami. I don't want to know about it." No sooner had she heard the information than she dashed toward the location.
"Could it be my savior in the thug's incident?" As soon as she arrived, two men were standing before her, glaring at each other.
"Who are you and what are you doing in this place?" One of them had weird taste of fashion as he wore some kind of bodiless shirt; a pair steel glove; a long, red scarf and the most notable was an oversized nail tied behind his back.
"It is none of your business. I'm just strolling a bit here and help the citizen a bit." The other was a tall man in black coat and his face was hidden by a blue plain mask with eagle pattern. His voice was odd and he seemed frustrated by the question.
"I appreciate your help but I couldn't let you before showing our gratitude."
The masked man shook his head. "No, thanks. Just moved, you are wasting my time!"
"Errr… sir." Noel said, shifted their attention to her. Strangely, the man in black coat seemed shock to see her. "Why are you here?"
He looked around as if he was finding a way to escape. Finally, he jumped out of the roof much to her astonishment.
"Wait!" As she looked down from the edge, all she could see was the man sliding in a path of ice, retreating away.
"That's weird. Jumping like that amidst the conversation. How rude!" the ninja complained nonstop.
"Just … who are you?" Noel asked inwardly.
A/N: Oh well, that man surely is mysterious but we shall know his identity soon. I will try to post the next chapter of "Never See, Never Know" in the next 4 days. Stay tune for more :)
Thanks for reading! (and please review and check my grammar, vocabulary please. Beta reading surely polishing stories and writer's skills)
Cardlover95
