Legendary High School

I Own Nothing.

Chapter 12: A Choice

Madoka's eyes slowly flutter open and she groans quietly. She holds her head as she sits up. She looks to her right where a bright color moved. Dark golden orbs stare back at her. She gasps and smacks at them. She squeezes her eyes closed and winces.

"That hurt…" the orbs utter. She blinks and looks over. Tsubasa sits there, rubbing his nose. He closes one eye and looks at Madoka. "Why did you slap me?!"

"Otori-san." She blinks. "Gomen!" She bows a little. He chuckles and waves it off.

"How long was I out…what happened?"

"You were attacked is what Tategami-Senpai said." Tsubasa finishes braiding a piece of his hair before unraveling it and starting again.

"Otori-san?"

"Hm?"

"Where's Kyoya and Hagane-Kun?"

"Ah, they went to school for the day."

"What about you?"

"I have the day off."

"You're playing hooky?!" Tsubasa kept quiet for a moment and Madoka pouts. "Why?!"

"I can't go to school anyway. I…had an episode and was sent away for a couple days."

"Oh…" They sit in silence for a few minutes before Tsubasa stands.

"I'll go let your mom know you're awake." He leaves before she can answer and she sits there, clutching her sheets and waiting.

Tsubasa walks outside and digs his nails into his arm. He takes a deep breath and sighs. The darkness would win. Tsubasa would sleep longer.

After a few weeks.

Madoka sits next to Benkei as they watch the others train more.

"Amano-Chan." Coach calls her over. She moves her tools off and pushes her goggles up as she walks to meet him.

"Hai?"

"Walk with me." He starts towards the school's pool.

"Is something wrong?"

"You're this team's main mechanic. And you know that with this next match, the Mechanic's Workshop is coming up."

"Hai…" Madoka bites her up.

"Do you want Hanawa-Kun to be a registered mechanic or your assistant?"

"Sir?"

"I'm asking do you think Hanawa, Benkei is good enough to be a registered mechanic?"

"I…"

"Take a day or two to think about it. Registration isn't for another week." He sighs. "We're up against DNA. They've already kicked our butts once and left Hasama in the hospital. I'd prefer all of you to be living after this."

Madoka doesn't answer but stands there, eyes cast downward.

"I'll trust your judgment." He pats her shoulder before walking back. Madoka takes a seat on one of the diving boards.

How was she supposed to choose?! If she said no and he found out, it would crush him. But if she said yes and something happened…she would never forgive herself.

"Mado-Kun." Masamune walks over with two drinks in hand. He hands her a coffee before opening his orange juice. "What's up?"

"The Mechanic's Workshop is coming up in this next match." She sighs and looks at him. "And you don't remember what that is, do you?"

"No?" Masamune shrugs and chuckles. "Explain it for me again?"

"The Mechanic's Workshop is like our battle. Mechanics are given so many beys that they have to deconstruct, clean, and reconstruct in a certain time limit. At some points, they change the match requirements but it's basically the same principal."

"Okay. You're not doubting yourself, are you?"

"No. It's…" She sighs again and rubs her forehead. "Coach left the choice with me."

"What choice?"

"Whether or not Benkei is a registered mechanic. Basically, I have to judge Benkei's skills and tell Coach if I think he's ready for the challenge or not."
"And?"

"How do I choose? If I choose yes…I'm saying Benkei could do his own set of beys…if I say no, It means I'm doubting him or I think he's not ready and he has to help me instead…"

"How long do you have?"

"A couple days?"

"So run him through some time trials and see how he does. If he can do his own set…then say yes. If not, tell him he needs more practice and say no."

Madoka takes a deep breath. "Thanks, Masamune-Senpai." She stands and walks back towards Benkei. Masamune stays and watches with a wide grin as Madoka bosses her Kohai around.

He stands and looks at the sky, taking a deep breath.

DNA…huh?

"Come on." King suddenly appears at his side. "Let's go!" He grabs the older's arm and they rush back to practice.

Benkei arrives at his home. "Momma!" He proclaims proudly. "Momma, where are you? I got something to show you!"

He drops his bag as his eyes widen. The living room lays in wreckage and his mother is nowhere to be seen. Benkei runs throughout the house and as he arrives to her room, he finds nothing. He slams the door open and sees a small white note on the floor.

Benkei plods towards it slowly. He gets closer and sits on his knees to pick it up.

If you want your mother back, you'll listen and obey.

Benkei gasps for air and gulps. Tears well in his eyes.

"Please be okay, Momma." He whispers before sobbing on the floor.

"I'll do it."

*keeps eyes downcast* Konnichiwa, Minna. Bunny desu. For those who read my AN, thank you. Things aren't the greatest but they aren't the worst either. Life's going on and I have my faith to hold to. The reason this a couple days late is I was gone all day Saturday and Sunday, and today, I was busy cleaning or working on homework before my break. But I'm on break now so I plan on getting ahead with writing. No worries. I'll be ahead when school comes back so regular updates. XP Yatta!

Thank you everyone who reads my stories and reviews. You guys give me a reason to keep going with this and to push on. Thank you so much! And thanks for helping me to have more confidence in myself and my writing. Because of you guys….*sniffles* I feel like someone actually cares about it. Thank you. (And me actually did sniffle there. XP) See you guys in Two Weeks. Mata ne!