Title: Don't Bother Me
Author's Note: Well, I got a question about Sayaka's precise age. Since Sayaka is in the seventh grade, that makes her 13 years old. I love the character of Kukai and prefer to have a slightly older character anyway since I can do more with Sayaka. I also got the suggestion that Ikuto should act more stoic toward the main character. I would argue I've kept Ikuto in character for the situations involved so far as I'm only following the exact things Ikuto does toward Amu in both the manga and anime (i.e., smelling Amu to check for Character birth, and licking one of Amu's eggs as he asks if it's the embryo). Thank you for critiquing me, rin03. I hope you continue to do so. Jae, I know you're still waiting on that long awaited Star Wars fic update, but don't worry, it's coming slowly yet surely. Meanwhile, thanks for reviewing this story on a manga you're not familiar with. Koneko96, thanks for your praise. Yes, I wanted a very different story, and I hope I succeed in the end.
Chapter 3
After Ikuto's nice little break-in, Kukai insisted upon staying until my brother returned home. It wasn't hard to convince me to agree to this offer of protection. Two creepy brush encounters in one day with a pervy, egg-stealing cat boy definitely encouraged me to keep a temporary bodyguard around. Plus, I was itching for more information on Guardian Characters.
Kukai proved more than willing to oblige me. Apparently, as the child becomes an adult, the egg will disappear without a trace. However, it can be assumed that if the child stays attached to his or her hopes and dreams, the egg will stay even through adulthood. If the egg's owner is burdened by worries and doubts, the egg will turn into an X-egg and eventually hatch into an evil and aggressive X-character and attack everyone in sight. Their owner is usually their first target. Because they are still connected to their owners, they can sometimes express depressions through their X-Characters.
Some fun Guardian Character characteristics to list before I move on to their main power: In order to be able to move freely, all Guardian Characters possess the ability to fly freely in the air. Guardian Characters also possess a separated magic power of their own, depending on their representation. They can sense the presence of fellow Guardian Characters, as well as X-Eggs, X-Characters and Heart's Eggs. Lastly, Guardian Characters can communicate with animals. That last fact send a shiver down my spine. I sensed nothing but trouble emerging from Yoru's probable association with the local cat population.
A Guardian Character's main power is to use Character Change with its owner, which grants him or her limited special powers and become a specific personality. Once a person Character Changes, something will appear on their bodies as an aspect to the change. Hence, the whole reason why Ikuto busted out cat ears and a tail along with some major gravity defining moves. Though Character Change can be controlled by Guardian Characters, the user can burst into a Character Change on his own when he is exposed to something that provokes his would-be personality.
A Character Transformation simply involves someone combining powers with his or her Guardian character. The Guardian Character goes into his or her egg, which then disappears into the owner's heart. This ability surpasses the power of a Character Change by 120% of its normal power. Because this ability is rare, there aren't many who can transform.
"Not even you?" I asked of Kukai.
"Nope, but a guy can dream, right?" A big smile in my direction. Leave it to optimistic Kukai to see an upside to a downside.
During a transformation, the owner can use various magical abilities powered by the Guardian Character. The Guardian Character is still active, for he or she can still communicate and can force the owner to do some actions unwillingly. Amazingly, two even rarer events can occur after the already rare production of a transformation: the owner switching transformations if he or she owns more than one Guardian Character, or transform with other people's Guardian Characters. Nonetheless, the power is not at its best, and the transformation will last shorter and consume one's energy faster.
While I was busy processing all this knowledge, I stared at the white egg lying on my white, round, short-legged kitchen table next to our two empty plates. We'd finished dinner long ago, and because I wasn't occupied with another task like eating, I found myself wondering if my ultimate dream had actually manifested itself into something real.
"You know, I haven't even bothered to ask you what you wished for when the egg was born," Kukai ventured as he observed my steady gaze on the egg. "What's your dream, Sayaka?"
I blushed, startled that I'd been so obviously spacing out. It wasn't my stye. Yet..introspection is a huge part of the type of dream I had. I hadn't told anyone of it, not even Hansuke or Kukai. Well, now was my chance to correct that grievous error of omission. It was kind of amazing I'd waited as long as I did. Kukai was always so easy to talk to about any problems I had.
"I want to be a writer," I announced in a hushed tone.
Kukai's face expressed the surprise I'd expected to incite. "Wow, that's different from what you're normally into. I mean, I thought your life was all about rhythmic gymnastics."
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individual competitors or more (generally five) manipulate one or two apparatuses: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, theatrical dance, and apparatus manipulation. The victor is the participant who earns the most points, as awarded by a panel of judges, for leaps, balances, pirouettes, flexibilities, apparatus handling, execution, and artistic effect. In a way, rhythmic gymnastics physically should have fulfilled my desire of gracefully and meaningfully expressing myself to the world. Nonetheless, I wasn't satisfied with that pastime alone. I loved to read and daydream about ideas far better revealed in writing rather than rhythmic gymnastics.
"Yeah, I've been doing rhythmic gymnastics for what, like seven years? I remember my parents seeing my first competition right before they died," I reminisced in a wistful voice before I remembered myself and reined in my sorrow. "See, I know have a story inside of me. Yeah, everybody has a story to tell, but I really have an urge to write a story like I have an itch to scratch. Hopefully, it's one people want to get acquainted with.
"I'm not actually sure what story it is I want to write. I've always had trouble finding something of great enough interest. Last night is a typical example..." Understanding dawned on my face. "I must've given birth to this egg last night! I was attempting to come up with a poem at home that I'd been inspired to write based on my current routine in the rhythmic gymnastics club, but I didn't succeed so well..."
Flashback!
''I think I need some fresh air..'' I muttered and walked to the door out on my own little balcony off my bedroom.
I couldn't help but smile even in spite of myself as I looked up at the smoggy city skyline. Glancing at my wrist watch, I realized it was already almost 10 p.m., pretty late for me to be up. Time sure goes by fast...when you suck at writing.
At least stars never disappoint. Stars are always sure to inspire admiration. Small, piercing lights lighting up the vast darkness in the night. Will they always be there? This little corner of the universe would be so lonely if the stars weren't there. Even comets, dying stars that burn up and cease to exist, have their place in the spectrum of beauty.
As if someone just read my mind, a light flashed by up in the sky. A falling star? I grinned ironically. Better make a wish then. Waste not, want not, right? I folded my hands and closed my eyes, talking aloud to myself.
"I wish…that I could become better with words, to be more confident, thoughtful, and playful in how I express myself instead of hiding behind sarcasm. I also want to find something worthwhile to write about and share a meaningful message with the world. And- what am I doing?"
My eyes opened, and I let out a sigh. Jeez, I was such a moron. Like wishing upon a star would ever help me. It wasn't as if someone out was there fulfilling wishes. Such an idea was just….childish…
I stumbled inside again and lied down on my rolled out futon. Although, if someone actually is out there…I wouldn't complain. I smiled at my own contradictory musings and drifted off to sleep.
Kukai remained silent for a moment before suggesting the following: "You should meet the current Royal Guardians at Seiyo Academy."
That out of left field recommendation sparked a drawing up of one of my eyebrows in a quizzical manner. "Don't I already know one Guardian: you? I still can't believe you're involved in that student council. Sure, the perks are nice, but I wonder if the heavy workload justifies getting the privileges, and don't get me started on those ridiculous capes you wear to distinguish yourselves from other students."
"Shut up, smart-ass," Kukei grumbled good-naturedly, rolling his eyes at me. "I'm sorry I even confided in you about being a Guardian."
I laughed hard, conjecturing that Kukai was probably secretly peeved about my cape insult, given his great store of personal pride.
"Okay, I'll bite. Why should I return to my old elementary school and hang out with younger kids?"
"Um...we don't just deal with student issues and advocate for them," my best friend pointed out matter-of-factly. "The only reason I know anything about Guardian Characters is because I'm a Guardian."
Oh, boy, this last sentence quickly grabbed my attention. "Are you saying a major requirement to be a Guardian is to have your own Guardian Character?"
"Duh. Besides protecting the students, we secretly keep kids' Heart Eggs safe. We even have a book called The Heart's Egg that explains what I told you about Guardian Characters. The original founder of the Guardians wrote it. Some of the pages are missing, though. No one knows why." Kukai winked significantly at me. "Maybe you could do something about that."
Pausing, I considered how useful such a book might be to me if I could hazard a gander at it. If Guardian Characters weren't unique enough to write about, I didn't know what was. "All right, you have me convinced. When do we make the visit?"
My best friend's face twisted into a crooked grin. "Normally, I have to clear appointments with the other Guardians," he indicated with another wink, this time playful in nature, "but for you, we'll skip the scheduling and drop by casually whenever your egg hatches."
We chuckled at Kukai's flippant disregard for the Guardians' rules, although I knew he was much more considerate than that. The next moment, I wondered if Kukai would even be willing to talk about Easter and Ikuto's role within the company. After all, he seemed to be on a roll tonight with the already plentiful exchange of information.
The decision to figure out if I really wished to broach the sticky Easter topic was made for me. The front door banged open and in ambled a weary Hansuke. He and I possessed the exact same thick, deep black hair and vivid chocolate brown eyes. Furthermore, we both had athletically slim builds acquired from working out on a regular basis. Yes, the two of us managed to squeeze in a single sport of particular importance, mine being rhythmic gymnastics and his being basketball.
Obviously, this was where the similarities ended. Hansuke definitely had the advantage of height on me, my 5'3" to his 6'1". Lucky for us that our heights reflected our very different sport choices. The flexibility required by rhythmic gymnastics is heightened by compact participants, while basketball favors tall players to jump high to make shots and block opponents from scoring.
Our fashion senses continued the premise of great variations between Hansuke and I. Despite 1) a middle school uniform whose skirt was shorter than I liked and 2) the elaborate, revealing outfits and beautiful updos preferred by my rhythmic gymnastics club, modesty compelled me to wear my hair in a simple, chin-length bob and donned straight leg jeans and fitted t-shirts of varying themes. Except for basketball playing, Hansuke could always be spotted in conservative garb suitable for a personal assistant in the corporate world: dress shirts, slacks, the occasional tie, and closely clipped haircut.
"I'm home, Sayaka!" Hansuke exclaimed strictly for my benefit just in case I didn't hear him arrive. We couldn't have unwelcome visitors sneaking in on a young girl like me, right? Too late. At least I'd had the revenge of slapping the bastard across the face.
My brother set his brown satchel down on the wooden foyer floor. In fact, the whole apartment possessed only wooden floors. The rent on carpeted apartments very much exceeded what Hansuke could afford. I sighted and glanced around at our odd assortment of worn, hand me down furniture inherited from several sympathetic relatives too far away to do much else. At any rate, staying at my brother's side provided me with the stability and familiarity I'd needed ensuring my parents' untimely deaths.
"I'm surprised you're still here, Kukai," Hansuke remarked curiously as he shucked his black dress shoes and replaced them with soft white house shoes. I mightily resisted the impulse to snap at Hansuke: "You should be glad Kukai's the only one here." As easygoing as my brother could act toward me, he didn't want to confront the more embarrassing aspects of taking care of a younger sister if he didn't have to. If he did, his legendary sternness would emerge and kick some serious ass.
"Don't worry, I already called Okaa-san [okaa-san=mother]," Kukai informed Hansuke, standing up.
Meanwhile, I got up myself to put together a dinner plate for Hansuke, using the move to mask the maneuvering of my egg into the pocket of my green hoodie. No sense in taking the chance of letting Hansuke discover it. If he could even see Guardian Characters, that is.
"Well, I'm off. It's already eight o'clock."
"Say hello to your brothers for me, Kukai. I'm sure they're always happy to hear when you've visited Sayaka."
I smirked at Hansuke's off-handed words and the interesting shade of red Kukai's face now displayed as he hurried out the door. My brother and Kukai's brothers loved to tease us younger siblings. The whole process was pretty funny as long as you weren't the brunt of the joke.
Hansuke made his way into the kitchen, which was open and attached to the living room. My brother promptly kneeled down at our table where Kukai had just been. Obediently, I placed a plate of rice and curry before him and handed him a pair of chopsticks before repositioning myself on the floor next to Hansuke. Because I knew how troublesome my living with him could be, I always tried to show my appreciation by performing a little personal attending to him much like he had to do in his job.
"Another long day for the both of us, eh, Hansuke?" I commented, yawning, pushing toward Hansuke a water bottle I'd retrieved from the fridge earlier and hadn't bothered to drink. Hey, it was still cold!
"Yeah..." Hansuke agreed absentmindedly, smiling and reaching out with one hand to tousle my hair with a brotherly affection.
"Hey!" I protested, though I still laughed with pleasure at his gesture. "I'm not a little kid, you know!"
"Whatever you say."
While my brother continued to chow down, I allowed a brief silence to fall between us as I contemplated the wisdom of bringing up the Easter subject. Within seconds, I decided if anyone would tell me the truth about Easter, it would be my own brother who had first-hand knowledge as an employee for the company.
"Um...can I ask you something, Hansuke?"
"Sure," he mumbled through a mouthful of food, attention turned downward to his plate, completely unaware of the ambush awaiting him.
"Does Easter have a major project involving the use of eggs?"
For a moment, Hansuke froze, staring at me with open shock before a completely unreadable expression settled itself into Hansuke's features.
"Now why would a kid like you care about what a company does in its business dealings? Besides, I work for the music division of Easter. Why would I know anything about eggs?" With that, he pushed himself up off the floor, snatched his plate and drink, and headed toward the door leading to his bedroom. "I just realized I forgot to finish a couple of more things for work. Sorry, Sayaka. I'll be in my room if you need me."
As soon as the door clicked shut, the obvious charged its way into my consciousness like an enraged, snorting bull: he knew something about Easter's dirty work. Seriously, how many more people like Hansuke were withholding the reality of the existence of Guardian Characters from me? Deep down, was one of the reasons Easter chose to employ Hansuke due to his being useful in some way with finding Guardian Characters? Worst of all, I wondered if my own brother was getting himself in over his head by working for Easter. If so, how could we possibly survive without his paycheck when push would inevitably come to shove?