Lucky Legacy

Prologue

The Melancholy of Hiiragi Kagami

"So this is it, huh?"

This was it, Kagami thought as she voiced her thoughts to the empty air. This was is it as it could get, yet she was the only one in the few short hours since they received their diplomas to mention it and even now she only said it to herself.

As spacious as Miyuki's house was, the addition of dozens of friends, family members and well-wishers mingling in the halls made it feel too cramped and claustrophobic for Kagami's taste. So, at the first sign of a lull in the glowing praise being heaped on by her family, she slipped out the back to get some fresh air and maybe clear her head.

Finals were behind them, admission letters were sent and all but the graduation was left for the sunny Saturday in March. Now, the sun was setting, the post graduation party was in full swing and eighteen year old Hiiragi Kagami suddenly found herself at a loss as to what came next.

Of course, her rational mind knew what the next logical step was; college. Years of busting her academic butt weren't about to go to waste by dropping out and getting a job. Kagami had prided herself in always knowing what her future held for her.

But…

What scared her was the growing feeling that she wasn't ready for the future she had chosen for herself.

As far as the academic part of college went, Kagami wasn't too worried. Despite Matsuri's horror stories from her years trudging through community college, Kagami put faith in her laser guided focus honed over years of devoting herself to her studies. The excruciatingly rigorous classes at Kyoto University crushed countless and yet they didn't intimidate her as much as the prospect of being a-

"KAGAMI-SAMA!"

"OOF!"

Just like that, Kagami's train of thought was derailed by the back door clanging against the house and a small warm mass of blue hair tackling her to the grass just off the porch.

"Kagami! Kagami! Kagami!" Konata bounced on her knees and excitedly tugging Kagami's frazzled pigtails for emphasis. "Kagami, you HAVE to come see this!!"

Kagami spat out a mouthful blue hair and grass, rolling over to glare at the blue haired otaku kneeling on her stomach. "What, what WHAT?!"

"Well, we were upstairs and then we started playing this game and I was winning and it was fun and then Miyuki-san decided to get in on the next game and then YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT!"

"You ran down the stairs, crashed through the door, slide tackled me like a two-year old high on sugar and messed up my hair?!?!" Kagami grunted, rolling on her side so Konata slid off her stomach and flipped over on the grass. "I can believe that; don't worry." Kagami sighed, tugging the loose clumps of grass out of her hair.

Konata rolled over on her stomach, staring at Kagami with her trademark Mischievous Smirk®. "Lighten up, Kagamin…" Konata purred playfully jabbing Kagami's side. "It's just us here and we allknow what you look like with your hair all frazzled up." Kagami opened her mouth to fire a jibe back at Konata but stopped short, biting her lip and looking away.

The gesture was not lost on Konata whose smile faltered slightly as she sat up on her knees to look Kagami in the eye. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Kagami flinched slightly, surprised that Konata would be insightful enough to know that something was bothering her. "What?! What do you mean?! Nothing's wrong! I'm fine! Really! I'm great! Wrong?! Me? Pah! No, I'm good. Nothing's wrong! What makes you think something's wrong?!"

Konata sighed, flopping back on the grass and looking at Kagami like a teacher looks at a particularly slow learner. "Well, it's pretty easy to tell with you. For the most part, you're a textbook Type A Tsundere so-"

Kagami sighed as Konata used her least favorite nickname. "And for those who aren't fluent in geek speak that means…"

"That you put up a front of aloofness, crankiness and cynicism as your default mood." Konata ignored Kagami's indignant squawk and continued with her analysis like a college professor would teach a master class. "Usually, your agitation is brought on by irritating actions from people around you. Though, much like R-kia, As-ka, and Ch--ori, your sensitive side usually manifests itself through blushing, stammering and fervent denial of your innermost feelings and-"

"T-that's just…that doesn't apply to…I mean even to insinuate something like that i-is just…" Kagami tried to will the heat out of her cheeks as Konata crossed her arms and smirked smugly.

"Fine!" Kagami humphed, eyebrow twitching in irritation. "So…maybe there's something's irking me…but that doesn't mean that it's any of your business!"

Konata sighed. "So it's not my business; when has that stopped me before?" Kagami gave a grunt of assent as Konata inched closer to her. "C'mon, you can tell me. What is it?"

"No…it's nothing." Kagami insisted, avoiding her friend's gaze.

Konata leaned around, trying to meet Kagami's eyes. "Is it about a boooy?"

"Why does everything we talk about always end up being about boys?" Kagami groaned, leaning back away from Konata.

"I'm getting warm…did this special someone reject your confession of looove?" Konata crooned, tugging on her pigtails.

"What?! No!" Kagami cursed her revealing red cheeks. "And leave my hair alone!"

"Nah…to obvious…I got it!" Konata sat back, crowing triumphantly. "He returned your feelings but he's going to school in America, leaving you at home to pine for the romance that could have been!"

"Konata…" Kagami growled.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I got it! I got it!" Konata giggled, bouncing on her heels. "You love him, but he's hell bent on controlling the world for the sake of his little sister! So now your heart is torn between the admiration you have for the brave freedom fighter and the love you have for Japan! Am I right?! I AM, ARENT I?!"

Kagami could only stare at her sparkling eyed friend as her otaku side shone out. Kagami seriously wondered if graduation had done anything to sober Konata's wild geeky energy. But, in a weird way, Konata's special brand of weirdness proved to be a touchstone by which Kagami could find some stability in an otherwise uncerta-

"Hellooooo…Kaaaagaaaamiiiin?" Again, Kagami's thoughts were interrupted by Konata waving a hand in front of her face. "You spaced out there for a second…are you okay?"

"Wha? Yeah, I'm fine!" Kagami said.

Konata's usual playful demeanor was replaced with an unusually exasperated expression. "You know, Miyuki-san and Tsukasa are too polite to tell you this, but you have the worst communication skills. You keep it in way more than you should."

As much as Kagami wanted to brush off Konata's advice, she knew that she was probably right. "Well…it's just that…" Kagami started hesitantly.

"Go on." Konata encouraged, laying down on her stomach, resting her head in her hands like a child waiting for a bedtime story.

"Well…today was graduation and…"

"Really?" Konatagasped in mock surprise. "Was it the cap and gown that gave it away or the fact that everyone got diplomas?"

"Forget it! Just forget it!" Kagami growled, starting to get up before Konata reached out and grabbed her skirt.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Konata said quickly apologizing while fighting to keep a straight face. "I just couldn't resist. Go on; today was graduation and…"

Kagamireluctantly sat back down on the grass, smoothing her skirt to give her a moment to collect her thoughts. "And I was just thinking…about Misao and Ayano."

Konata's brow furrowed in confusion. "What about those two?"

Kagami gulped nervously. "Well, I mean, they've been friends since grade school…and even though they promised to spend all summer together…Misao got accepted at Aichi and Ayano's all but set on Asahikawa for her undergraduate stuff."

"So?" Konata was still confused. "What is that supposed to me-"

"It means they're not going to be together!" Kagami could see that Konata was startled by her outburst but blabbered on, twirling the ends of her pigtails nervously before she could say anything. "I mean they can still visit each other and stuff, but they won't see each other every day like at school and…and I know their close enough to get by on e-mails and phone calls but, but, but Matsuri never talks to her friends from high school anymore and they used t-to be really close and so after all that I as just thinking…I was thinking about what was going to happen to them after…"

Konata furrowed her brow. "This isn't about them, is it?"

Kagami sighed, shaking her head. "No…it's about us."

Kagami's response left a heavy silence in the air for a few seconds as Konata could only blink numbly in response. "Wow…Kagami…t-that was…"

Kagami blinked in surprise as, for the first time in the history of their friendship, Konata was genuinely rendered speechless. A small part of her felt guilty for diffusing her usual spirit and she reached a hand out hesitantly.

"Hey…I didn't mean to bum you out. Look, I'm sure that I'm just w-AACK!!"

Kagami let out a strangled cry as Konata threw her arms around her waist, tackling her to the grass in an exuberant glomp.

"That was so CUTE!" Konata squealed.

"GET OFF ME!" Kagami cried, trying to pry her arms out from under Konata's.

"I can't help it!" Konata sighed. "The way you got all worried about us was just classic!"

"LET…ME…GO!"

"Awww, is Kagami worried that she's gonna be looonley at college?" Konata crooned, nuzzling Kagami's stomach. "Is she gonna miss her friends?"

"KONATA! I'm trying to be serious here!" Kagami finally wormed her way out of Konata's grip, sitting up on her elbows and letting Konata flop on the grass.

"Kagami, come on. You're always serious. You haven't been out of school two hours and you're alreadygetting a jumpstart on worrying your life away!" Konata shook her head, chuckling to herself. "Most kids would be totally happy to be out of school; you really suck at being a teenager.

"But-"

"Oh, what do you think is going to happen?" Konata said, cutting Kagami off. "You think we're just going to go on our merry ways and totally forget about each other?"

"Well…I mean if I'm going to Kyoto and Tsukasa's staying here to get her chef's certification then-"

"Kyoto's not that far away." Konata said simply. "You could catch a train and be here in a couple hours."

"I know…" Kagami sighed. "But what about Miyuki and that French school she applied to? I mean…what if she gets in?"

"Oh, there's no "if" involved." Konata said. "We both know that Miyuki-san has the grades to get into pretty much any school she wants to."

"So if she decides to go to France?"

"Then we'll have to work a little harder to keep in touch; a few dozen e-mails a day and it'll be like you went to France with her."

"Easy for you to say…some of us aren't attached to our keyboards like you are…" Kagami mumbled.

Konata stared at Kagami for a moment as Kagami picked listlessly at the grass to avoid making eye contact. "Something about today is really bumming you out isn't it? I don't really think the fact we're leaving home is the big problem here."

Kagami didn't look up, instead talking to the small patch she had worn in the grass. "Ever…ever since I was young, everyone always said that I always had a good head on my shoulders…that I always knew what I was doing. I really believed them. Somehow having my family and friends thinking I always had the answers made me believe that I really did. But…all that's over now. Now…I have to figure things out for myself. Now I have to fulfill this great plan everyone thought I had going. But…I don't know if I'm as ready as everyone thinks I am. I've…I've never really had to believe in myself because everyone-my friends, my teachers and my family-believed in me for me. Now that I'm headed out on my own…I'm not sure I'm ready to. I'm not sure…I can do this on my own."

Kagami looked away, fully expecting Konata to shoot a sly grin and a snarky remark to make light of the situation.

"But…you're not alone, Kagami." Kagami looked up in genuine surprise to see Konata smiling softly back. "You're not the only one heading out on your own and you're not the only one feeling a little anxious. I'll admit, having no post-high school plan is daunting especially when you've pretty much been laughed out of every college you've applied to." Konata and Kagami shared a chuckle at the memory of Konata's exuberant cheer when she learned she failed all her entrance exams and managed to skip out on college. "But as uncertain as the future is…I'm excited about tomorrow. Tomorrow is a new day and I feel ready to do anything. And I'm waaaay worse off than you are"

Kagami let out a reluctant chuckle. "That's for sure. Although…I think you'll pull through. I believe you can."

Konata smiled, laying a hand on her friend's shoulder, eyes sparkling suddenly. "Then believe in me! And I'll believe in you! And if you believe in the me that believes in youthen your dri …sorry…I mean, we'll get through this."

Kagami returned Konata's smile hesitantly at first then as she drew confidence from her friend, she smiled with genuine hope. "Okay then…it's a promise. I promise to believe in you no matter what brand craziness you get yourself into if…if you'll do the same for me?" Kagami asked shyly.

Konata grinned her favorite cat-like grin, gently squeezing Kagami's hand with her own. "Deal. No matter how high-strung or bent out of shape you get, I'll always believe that you'll pull through."

And, with a squeeze of a hand, a promise that would soon run deeper than their friendship was struck. Though similar promises would later be forged with Miyuki and Tsukasa, it was Konata reaching out first that Kagami would remember.

For now though, Kagami stood up, brushing the dirt off her skirt and pulled Konata to her feet. "We should probably head inside; looks like our parents are getting antsy without anyone to heap praises on."

"I guess so..." Konata sighed in mock despair. "Hey, what d'you think about Kyoto?"

"Kyoto?"

"Yeah. Something tells me I could have a future there."

"Well, that would be pretty hard to accomplish, seeing how you didn't get in and all." Kagami sighed.

"I'm not talking about your precious university!" Konata grumbled, crossing her arms. "Some of my favorite studios operate out of Kyoto!"

"And you think they'll hire you because..."

"Because I'm a genius, that's why." Konata said. "Plus, I have accumulated a certain reputation that tends to preceedme in all realms of the otaku."

Kagami fought hard to keep a laugh down, settling for a badly concealed snort. "Whatever you say..."

"Hey! You said you'd beleive in me no matter what!" Konata cried indignantly. "WAS THAT ALL A LIE?!"

"Oh pipe down, you." Kagami said, flicking the irritated otaku's forehead. "Don't get so bent out of shape; I was kidding.

Konata humphed, following Kagami across the lawn. "Hey...you okay now?"

Kagami turned back, smiling to herself. "You know…I think…I will be." Kagami nodded to herself, resolutely. "Still…it's hard to believe that it's really over though…"

Konata smirked as the sun caught a glint off a pair of glasses peeking out of the second floor window. As soon as Konata looked up, there was a soft "eek" and the glasses vanished in a trail of black hair back into the house, closing the window with a snap.

"Over, Kagamin? The story's not over yet…in fact I think the best part is just beginning…"

AN: Please review!