Disclaimer: Neither Takeshi Yamato nor Xamusel own Kamen Rider Wizard or Persona 3. We only own the idea from the plot, and some of the OCs.
Takeshi Yamato: Hello, everyone!
Welcome to the fifth chapter of A Wizard in Iwatodai!
In regards to Yukari's Rider outfit lacking a lot of details last chapter… well… suffice to say we don't have ideas for those details ourselves - all we know is that Yukari's transformations are going to be animal-based, her default form is based on a Triceratops, and that her transformations will be full suit (similar to Wizard's). If anyone has any ideas, or has enough confidence in their skills to try drawing Yukari as Kamen Rider Sage, please let us know.
Also, yes, this story will eventually get its rating shifted to M, and will have Lemons in it - However, didn't really feel like it was an appropriate time for one at the end of the last chapter.
Now, let's see what fate has in store for the Wizard next! :D
A Wizard in Iwatodai
Story by Takeshi Yamato, written by Takeshi Yamato and Xamusel
Gekkoukan High School, Morning, April 20th, 2009
"Man… why do we have to deal with this?" Junpei asked in annoyed irritation, looking at the blackboard with an evil glare. "I mean, we deal with so much, already… why this on top of that?"
"Well, we do still need an education, Junpei-san," Nayuki remarked in a whisper. "I mean, we're going to need day jobs eventually in order to support ourselves - fighting monsters doesn't pay the rent."
"What's this about the rent being paid?" Minato asked, whispering as well. "Remember those battles last night? We ended up getting a good deal of Yen out of them. Therefore, we're set for the rent for the time being."
"Just saying that even with that, monsters won't drop money all the time - we'll need day jobs eventually, and we need educations to get higher-paying ones."
"You mean they won't drop that much money all the time, right?" Yukari asked, also whispering. "I'm not sure of all the specifics, but we always got some decent cash when fighting enemies while we were away… I think the same applies over here."
"Well, maybe," Nayuki admitted. "Still, day jobs would give us some decent supplementary income, just in case the monster fighting hits a slow point."
"What are you four whispering about?!" Ms. Toriumi demanded from in front of the blackboard.
"Just ways to earn money, Sensei," Nayuki remarked. "We've got some decent funds for tuition and related items for the moment, but who knows how long that will last, or if we'll need anything for personal reasons."
Blinking, the teacher asked, "Is that… so? Well, I see, then. Carry on with your discussions… after one of you answers a question correctly."
"Well, Minato, I believe that's your cue," Yukari remarked.
"In the later part of the previous century, who was the author to start writing a seven-part book series that ended sometime after the death of the main villain by means of something meant for disarming?" Ms. Toriumi asked, after Minato stood up to hear her out and then answer the question.
"J.K. Rowling," Minato replied.
"Good, you've read up on foreign literature, Arisato-san," Ms. Toriumi said, nodding in approval. "Indeed, the Harry Potter series of books has just that death, which I find stupid… but, anyway, that's neither here or now."
"Nice work, Minato-san," Nayuki remarked as Minato sat back down.
"Thanks, Nayuki-san," he replied.
The magic rings, the Wizard Rings.
(A red magic circle appears over a black background. Four lights appear at the main corners of the Circle, from which appear the Flame, Water, Hurricane, and Land Style Rings.)
They shine on both hands of the modern mage.
(The Rings float in different directions, Water, Hurricane, and Land going off the screen as Flame lands on Nayuki's left middle finger as she appears silhouetted in front of the magic circle, Driver On Ring on her right middle finger)
As she changes despair into hope.
(A close-up image of Nayuki's head and shoulders, still silhouetted, as the helmet and upper outfit of Wizard Flame Style super-impose themselves over her form.)
(BGM: Life is SHOW TIME [TV Version])
Maji ka? Maji de? Maji da! Showtime! (Seriously [it's magic]!? Really!? I'm serious! Show Time!)
(Wizard Flame Style does a few spins in various positions relative to a red magic circle on a white background, before appearing on Winger WizarDragon, which flies off the screen before WizarDragon flies back onto the screen, lobbing a fireball from its mouth before the flash resolves into the title logo.)
Maru de tsuki to taiyou (It's like the shock)
(Nayuki is seen standing atop the Iwatodai Dorms building, overlooking the whole town, before the scene shifts to a solar eclipse, then to Wizard Flame Style spinning to face her right, and finally to Nayuki spinning to face her left.)
Kasanaru toki no shougeki (When the moon and the sun collide!)
(Nayuki stands in the middle of a crowded street, head down, before raising it somewhat to look at a boy in a style similar to that of a jailbird, who looks up to reveal Pharos.)
Dare datte kiseki shinjite mitai (Everyone wants to believe in a miracle)
(Pharos lifts his right hand up, the back of it facing Nayuki, and the screen shifts to show them reaching for each other's hand, before it shows them walking across the street to each other, Mitsuru appearing on Pharos' side, Minato showing up on Nayuki's side.)
Kitto hitotsu you fukaketsu no ENAJI kokoro no da ne (The indispensable energy that people need comes from the heart)
(The background shatters, before Mitsuru drives up on her own motorcycle, pulling off her helmet before brandishing her rapier and Evoker. Minato then appears, a silhouetted image of Thanatos behind him. Pharos and Nayuki appear in front of a Velvet Doorway.)
Yume to yosou ii imi de uragitte kureru mono (Dreams and expectations will betray you in a good way)
(Yukari Takeba is seen transforming into Kamen Rider Sage, while a magic ball shows Nayuki transforming into Kamen Rider Wizard, the ball being held by Pharos.)
3! 21! 1! Showtime!
(The scene shows Pharos' immediate area glowing in light.)
Magic Time!
(Wizard Flame Style is seen in front of a building, jumping and spinning in place.)
TRICK ja nai! (It's no trick!)
(Wizard Flame Style lands on the ground, lifting her right hand to her mask, before lowering her arm.)
Mahou HIIRO hanpa nee ze (The Magic Hero is no pushover!)
(A red magic circle appears under her feet, with three separate magic circles, red, blue, and yellow, underneath the Red Garuda, Blue Unicorn, and Yellow Kraken PlaMonsters respectively, before Wizard Flame Style spins around and sends her familiars out.)
Mo-to halelujah
(Wizard Flame Style crushes a card in her hand, as Tsukuyomi appears behind her.)
Kioku no roots moguri-konde kibou sukui-dase (Dig into the roots of memory and save that hope!)
(Wizard Flame Style leaps through a blue magic circle to her right, becoming Wizard Water Style, then leaps up through a green magic circle to become Hurricane Style, then drops down through a yellow magic circle to become Land Style.)
Show Time!
(Nayuki and Pharos reach for each other's hands and grab them.)
Life is showtime! Tobikiri no (Life is Showtime! It's exhilerating!)
(Wizard Flame Style is seen falling through magic circles.)
Unmei to RAIFU mucha shite mo (Even if you're reckless with fate and life!)
(Wizard Flame Style is riding Machine Winger down a road, as WizarDragon flies up alongside. Machine Winger and WizarDragon combine to form Winger WizarDragon, with Nayuki still riding.)
Mo-to halelujah
(Back with the close up on Nayuki and Pharos' hands, as Nayuki moves the Hope Ring towards Pharos' finger.)
Kinou, kyou, ashita, mirai (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and in the future…)
(Nayuki, Minato, Yukari, and Mitsuru are in the Iwatodai dorm, each doing various things. Their positions switch two times, with each switch showing a new set of activities.)
Subete no namida wo (…all those tears…)
(Nayuki is riding Machine Winger, Mitsuru riding behind her.)
Show Time!
(Nayuki finishes sliding the Hope Ring onto Pharos' finger, the ring beginning to light up.)
Kouseki ni kaette yaruze (…I will change them into jewels!)
(Wizard's four main Styles come into view, Flame in the center, Water from the right, Hurricane from above, and Land from the left. The four pose identically as Water, Hurricane, and Land turn into light and merge with Flame.)
Maji ka? Maji de? Maji da! Showtime! (Seriously [it's magic]!? Really!? I'm serious! Show Time!)
(Brief shot of Nayuki holding up her left hand with the Flame Style Ring on it, followed by Wizard Flame Style doing a brief spin and posing in front of Machine Winger, the story logo once again flaming into existence in the foreground.)
Chapter 5: Random droll of school life
Gekkoukan High, Rooftop - 11:45 AM, April 22, 2009
The next couple days went by rather simply, though the 21st had a bit of excitement with the morning assembly, where it was revealed Mitsuru had been elected president of the Student Council. She'd done a rather good acceptance speech, in Nayuki's opinion.
Anyway, lunchtime had rolled around again, and Nayuki was sharing lunch with Mitsuru on the rooftop, in what was starting to become a routine.
"So… senpai, how do you like being President of the Student Council?" Nayuki asked. "I mean, it's only been a day…"
"Well, it's alright, if a bit busy," Mitsuru remarked. "Time will tell just how well I do at it, but it definitely seems like we might need some extra hands…"
"I might be able to help out, senpai," Nayuki admitted. "It shouldn't be that hard to handle the Student Council, right?" Upon receiving a blank stare, she asked, "…right, senpai?"
"Well, it can be difficult at times, Kinomoto," Mitsuru replied. "Still, I do thank you for the offer, and I was planning on asking, anyway."
"O-oh, really, senpai?" Nayuki asked in surprise. "I mean, this is rather sudden, don't you think?"
"Maybe, maybe not," Mitsuru replied. "Still, having seen you in action around the school and elsewhere, I definitely think you'd be able to help - you'll primarily be my aide, helping me manage things from day to day."
"Oh, senpai, you flatter me," Nayuki said, blushing slightly. "I'll do my best to fit the role you need of me."
"Thank you very much, Kinomoto," Mitsuru replied. "I'll introduce you to the rest of the Council after classes are over." She then looked down to the lunches, which had been made by Nayuki. "So… what did you make us for lunch today?"
"Oh, some Fried Ricer," Nayuki said with a smile and a giggle after that.
"I'm sorry, what's this 'Fried Ricer', Kinomoto?" Mitsuru asked in confusion.
"I'm joking, senpai," Nayuki said with a wave of her hand. "It's simply fried rice."
Mitsuru sighed. "Obviously, not a joke I'm familiar with," she remarked. "Well, let's eat."
With a nod, Nayuki opened her fried rice lunch and started to eat in sync with Mitsuru, which, if anyone else were there to comment, would be automatically seen as freaky.
Gekkoukan High School Front Gate, 11:59 PM, April 23rd, 2009
"Well…" a young woman of 15 with brown hair and red eyes said with a sigh, upon getting to the gates of the school at this abysmal time of night. "Talk about bad timing… as well as getting lost, all thanks to my tour guide. Why, oh why, did I have to go with Hibiki Travel Guiding Agency when the owner and main field operator is cursed to be lost for eternity?!"
At that moment, she heard footsteps appear from behind her, prompting her to turn around and see a group of older students headed for the school gates. Panicking visibly, she shot out of the way of the school gates, getting ready to transform into her special state to fight bad guys (on the off chance they were bad guys). While they were headed for the school, the young woman was pondering transforming right then and there, putting a hand to a belt buckle-like device hanging from her jacket…
…when the world started to turn green all around her.
She then watched, semi-incredulously, as the school suddenly began to twist, distort, and grow, reaching up impossibly high.
"What… the… hell?" she asked out loud, even louder than normal, causing the group to look at her.
"Wait, someone else who's active in the Dark Hour?" one of them, a second-year girl with the ice-blue hair asked. "Who is—"
"Hamuko-imouto?!" asked a second-year boy with deep blue hair, who the 15-year-old recognized instantly.
"Onii-chan?" the now-identified Hamuko Arisato looked at her brother Minato Arisato with hearts in her eyes as she asked this. Upon seeing him back away slightly, she raced towards him, being surprisingly fast for her age and for the distance to travel, even as she yelled, "ONII-CHAN! Let me love you with all the love a woman can have for a man!"
Minato, as it seemed, was in a big pickle… and he knew that he needed to run as fast and as far as his legs could go and take him. He knew that there was no stopping his sister from her goal of bedding him before her sixteenth birthday… unless he was to be already married… by… that… point… oh. Still, he did run, attempting to lose his sister somewhere near the dorm.
Fortunately for him, Yukari quickly interposed herself between him and Hamuko, grabbing the girl as she tried to run past Yukari. "Why are you trying to run down my fiance like one of Akihiko-senpai's lovestruck fangirls?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm.
"How dare you call my brother your fiance, you bimbo!" Hamuko shouted. "He promised me he would be my first time before I turned 16! I won't let anyone steal him from me before then!"
Yukari's eyes narrowed. "Minato, dear, is that true?" she asked.
"I didn't word it properly back then, Yukari, Hamuko-imouto," Minato said, upon getting back to the entrance of Tartarus. "When I said 'I will be your first time', Hamuko-imouto, I meant in terms of you getting some dating experience without going as far as doing the deed."
Yukari accepted this, smiling a bit at him. "Well, that sounds reasonable, and a very kind thing to do for your little sister," she said, before turning to Hamuko. "As for you, I'm willing to forgive the misunderstanding, as long as you don't call me a 'bimbo' again - my name is Yukari Takeba, soon to be Yukari Takeba-Arisato." Her eyes hardened dangerously. "Am. I. Clear?"
"C-c-c-c-c-c-c-crystal clear!" Hamuko said, nodding faster than she had before in her life.
"Good," Yukari said, before releasing her grip on Hamuko. "Now, aside from that misunderstanding, what are you doing here? Minato told me you lived over in Zawame City these days."
"It's simple, really," Hamuko said. "I transferred out of the local school at Zawame City to spend time with my big brother, mainly because I wanted him to honor his promise, but also to see if he could help explain what I've only started seeing recently what he started seeing some ten years back."
"So, you only recently started seeing the Dark Hour?" Mitsuru asked, walking up to her. "I see… perhaps we should have someone take her back to the Dorm, and we can explain things to her in the morning - I'd rather wait to confirm whether she has the Potential or not before taking her into Tartarus."
Before someone could volunteer, however, a loud laughing was heard from down the road away from the school. "Well, well," the voice that owned the laugh said. "It looks like there's more brats here with Gates than I thought! I'm gonna make more Phantoms out of you!"
"Crap!" Nayuki swore, as she and Yukari stepped forward, getting between the group and the approaching Phantom, which appeared to be based off of a cat-woman of some kind. "Everyone, stay back! Yukari-san and I will handle this!"
"Really?" the Phantom replied. "And what can you two do?"
"Plenty," Yukari remarked, as the two donned their Rings.
"DRIVER ON, PLEASE!" announced the WizarDriver and SageDriver as the two scanned their Driver On Rings, and then switched them to Henshin Input. "SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN!"
"Henshin!" the two called in unison as they scanned their Flame Style and Triceratops Style Rings, respectively.
"FLAME, PLEASE! HII! HII! HII, HII, HII!" announced the WizarDriver as Nayuki transformed to Wizard Flame Style.
"TRICERATOPS, PLEASE!" the SageDriver announced as Yukari donned her Triceratops Style garb.
"N-no way!" the Phantom called out as it visibly recoiled. "T-t-t-t-t-two Mahoutsukais?!"
"Saa," Wizard remarked, as she achieved her standard pre-battle pose, "showtime da."
"Uh… Ghouls! Tear them to shreds!" the Phantom cried out, before a hoard of Ghouls arrived, intent on tearing the enemies to shreds.
As Nayuki and Yukari drew their WizarSwordGuns and began fighting the Ghouls, Hamuko felt a desire to help, and knew how she could - this seemed similar in a way to fighting those Inves creatures back in Zawame.
She took the belt-buckle device hanging from her jacket and attached it to her waist, causing an actual belt to wrap around her. Next, she took out what looked like an old-fashioned lock, only instead of the dial, an image of a strawberry took over most of the lock. She pressed a button, causing the lock to open.
"ICHIGO!" announced the lock, as a zipper-like portal opened above her, allowing a metallic strawberry to descend through it. She then placed the lock in a bay in the middle of her belt device and closed the lock, causing the buckle to announce, "LOCK ON!"
Music began blaring from her belt, sounding like horns that might come from the Sengoku Period, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Henshin!" Hamuko announced, hitting a sword-shaped lever on the device as it 'sliced' into the lock, flipping the strawberry part down. Inside were two images - one on the main lock looking like a sliced-open strawberry, and one on the inside of the metal strawberry, containing what looked like a trio of strawberry-themed kunai.
"SOIYA!" the buckle called out as the strawberry descended, the bottom tip opening to cover her right shoulder as the rest of it covered her head. The buckle then continued, "ICHIGO ARMS!" as she was instantly clad in a pink battle suit, even lighter pink than Yukari's, and with slight gold trimming on the arm guards and legguards. Inside the strawberry, a pink helmet appeared on her head as an extra part textured like a strawberry slipped onto the back of the helmet, her visor looking like the inside of a strawberry slice. As the strawberry unfolded, forming a chestpiece, a larger guard on her left shoulder, and some back armor, the buckle finished, "SHUSHUTTO SPARK!"
"Huh?" Minato asked, having never seen anything quite like that transformation before.
"Woah…" Junpei breathed. "Another Kamen Rider…"
Having somehow missed hearing Junpei's comment, Hamuko walked over to her fellow Riders, before they proceeded to defeat the Phantom and her goons. With a practised ease, she sped forward, drawing a weapon that looked like a longsword, but the crossguard was angled such that it looked like someone had stuck a blade on top of a gun... the Musou Saber.
Tearing through the Ghouls turned out to be relatively easy, as they approached the Phantom itself.
"Well, let's change things up a bit," Nayuki remarked, switching out her Flame Ring for a Ring with a green triangular crystal in its core, again folding transparent bits down to make it look like a face. "Time to blow you away," she said to the Phantom, as she flipped the Hand Author twice, switching it into Henshin Input again, and running the new ring over it.
"HURRICANE, PLEASE! FUU-FUU! FUU-FUU-FUU-FUU!" the WizarDriver called out as a green magic circle appeared and descended over Nayuki, changing the ruby-like portions of her armor to become emerald-like, the red inner fabric on her overcoat to turn green, and her visor to gain a triangular shape.
She had changed to her Wind Element form, Hurricane Style. She then slashed with her WizarSword Gun, sending a wind blast at the Phantom.
The Phantom simply put a hand up, blocking the wind slash with an invisible barrier, before saying, "You think that can stop me?! Think again, nyaa! I, Bastet, will be your end!"
"Well, if that doesn't work, let's try this," Nayuki replied as she switched the Hurricane Style Ring for one with a yellow, square-shaped crystal core, again triggering a mechanism to change it to look like a face, before reactivating the Henshin Input and running the Ring over her Driver.
"LAND, PLEASE! DODODO, DODODON! DON, DODODON!" The WizarDriver called out as Nayuki changed Styles once more, this time with her helmet visor taking a square shape, the green bits of her outfit becoming yellow, and the crystal portions changing from emerald to topaz.
This was the last of her Basic Elemental Styles, Land Style. She then switched her Driver to Spell Input, running another of her Rings over it.
"BIND, PLEASE!" the WizarDriver announced as what looked like chains of rock erupted from the ground to hold the Phantom in place.
"Wh-what?!" Bastet got out, only for Hamuko, Nayuki, and Yukari to prepare to finish off the Phantom with their strongest attacks yet.
"Saa, finale da," Nayuki remarked as the three Riders spread out, so they were equidistant from each other as they surrounded Bastet.
"CHOI NE! KICK STRIKE! SAIKO!" the WizarDriver and SageDriver called out as Nayuki and Yukari scanned their Kick Strike Rings over their Drivers as Magic Circles appeared underneath them, and they spun around once to allow the magic to more evenly distribute around their right legs, and they began moving forward, somersaulting as they approached the Phantom, a Triceratops head appearing around Yukari's leg, while Earth Magic surrounded Nayuki's.
At the same time, Hamuko leapt into the air, and flipped the lever on her Driver twice. "SOIYA! ICHIGO AU LAIT!" the Driver called out, as she extended her right leg for a kick, what looked like a strawberry appearing in front of her foot as she descended… impacting the Phantom at the same time as Nayuki and Yukari's Kick Strikes landed.
"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Bastet cried out in horror, just as the kicks impacted on her, before…
…she shattered like a statue made out of sodium.
After the Phantom was destroyed, they stood there for a moment, before Yukari and Nayuki undid their transformations, and Hamuko popped open the strawberry lock and pulled it off, then closing it all the way as her Driver went "LOCK OFF!" and canceled her own transformation.
"Interesting…" Yukari remarked. "Didn't realize you were a Kamen Rider, too, Hamuko-san."
"Huh? Kamen Rider? What are you talking about?" Hamuko asked, confusion apparent on her face. "I'm an Armored Rider, Armored Rider Dia."
"I was confused when I first heard the term, myself," Nayuki replied. "But it does fit - Kamen Riders are warriors who are given special powers, which they use to defend the innocent, and fight against not just monsters, but those who often control them for whatever nefarious purpose they work towards. I only first heard a description of the term from a different Rider, Fourze, but it fits - so I started calling myself Kamen Rider Wizard, as opposed to simply being called Wizard before then."
It was at that moment when Hamuko finally understood what was meant. "Oooooooooh!" she said, pounding a fist to her open palm. "So, in other words, I'm not an 'Armored Rider', but Kamen Rider Dia!"
"Pretty much," Nayuki replied. "I am curious as to how your particular abilities work, but we can save that for a Note Swap Session either after we get back to the Dorm or tomorrow." She looked over at Mitsuru. "Mitsuru-senpai, we still good for a run through Tartarus now?"
"Might as well, Kinomoto," Mitsuru answered with a nod. Turning to face Hamuko, she said, "Be ready for a lot of exercise, Arisato, or else you'll be left behind."
"Well, I tended to get a lot of exercise in Zawame, even before I got my Sengoku Driver and Lockseed here," she remarked. "I should be good, even if I haven't faced monsters other than Inves before tonight."
Outside the gates to Gekkoukan High School, 12:00 AM, April 24th, 2009
"Me and my big, fat mouth," Hamuko said, showing the signs of being extremely tired from her first excursion into Tartarus, even after what she had said before.
"It's not so bad," Nayuki remarked. "The Dark Hour does tend to be rather draining - you just need time to adapt, that's all." Nayuki herself was feeling somewhat tired, but nowhere near as bad as their first run through Tartarus.
"Yeah, I know that, Nayuki-senpai," Hamuko replied. "However, I didn't have a chance to pull my weight in as part of the group. If I were pulling my weight in as part of the group, I'd probably be even worse off, right?"
"Likely, but again, you're just starting out," Nayuki informed. "Give it a little time, and you should be able to catch up to us - though we're still trying to catch up to Minato-san and Yukari-san, given what they've been through."
Hamuko nodded in a tired and sleepy fashion, before she woke up all of a sudden, looking at her brother and Yukari as they were holding hands. "What have those two been through that make them at the peak compared to everyone else?" she asked.
"Well, apparently their minds and souls spent at least a year in another universe, while their bodies were in a coma in the hospital for a week," Nayuki informed. "You'll learn more during the Note Swap Session, just know that the truth is often a lot stranger than fiction."
"I bet… that's definitely the case with me," Hamuko said, looking forward at the time. "So… who gets what room in your dorm?"
"Girls' rooms are on the third floor, while Boys' rooms are on the second," Mitsuru replied. "Though, I should mention that due to your brother and Takeba's experiences, they moved into Takeba's room together."
"I just hope that they're waiting for their marriage before doing anything explicit," Hamuko said, shuddering at the thought of her brother doing anything with another girl… it would take her a while to get over her incestuous thinking patterns.
Unseen by Hamuko, Minato and Yukari both winced slightly, given that they had been intimate a lot during that time in the other universe, and they had 'done it' a couple of times after returning to the Dorm, as well. They were just somewhat hopeful that they hadn't had a perfect repeat of their first night together in the other universe… they did want to wait until they were married here before they had kids again.
SEES dormitory, Evening, April 24th, 2009
Getting Hamuko situated in school wasn't too hard, considering Mitsuru's help - the younger Arisato was situated in Class 1-D, and was getting along well with her fellow classmates.
The Note Swap Session had gone well, too - though Nayuki was concerned about those 'Inves' creatures Hamuko had talked about in Zawame (the fact that there were already several Kamen Riders [called 'Armored Riders' by the city's residents] there did ease her mind a bit), and Hamuko was still rather shocked that Minato and Yukari had become parents in that other universe… to twins, no less!
Regardless, now Minato and Yukari were working on one of their most important tasks - wedding plans.
"OK," Minato said as they looked through the internet. "We need to find a chapel or shrine that's free on May 10th, and a hotel that's willing to lend us a meeting room or dining room on the same day for the reception… this might be a little tricky…" he then turned to Yukari. "Though, we could simplify things a bit by simply having the reception here at the Dorm - we'd need to keep the size of the wedding rather small in that case, given that I doubt the Dorm can hold too many people at once."
Yukari turned to face her future husband and said, "Honestly, while that's a good idea, it would probably be for the best that we don't crowd the Dorm at any point… not fun to see the place fall down around us. Besides, we know that the Tatsumi Port Island Hotel is large enough for the group of guests we might expect, and they have the finances to keep the place from falling down."
"Alright," Minato replied. "Just need to make sure they have an opening on the 10th, and that part will be dealt with."
At that moment, Nayuki walked in, asking, "Anyone see my donuts?" Upon seeing Minato and Yukari at the table, she blinked, before asking, "What's up?"
"Planning out the wedding, Nayuki-san," Yukari replied. "We've already set a date - May 10th - now we just need to book a chapel or shrine for the actual ceremony, and a meeting room or two at the Tatsumi Port Island Hotel for the reception."
"Oh… right, you two are definitely serious about this wedding," Nayuki said with a sigh. "Well, you'll need food, that's for sure."
"Yeah," Yukari remarked. "We'll make sure to have plenty of Plain Sugar Donuts available for you, Nayuki-san. I'm personally planning on having Strawberry Ice Cream available in large quantities as well - ever since I awakened my Magic, Strawberry Ice Cream has become to me a bit like what Plain Sugar Donuts are to you."
"Oh? No wonder I've had to look for my Plain Sugar Donuts more, given the lack of space for them to be in with all the Ice Cream around," Nayuki said.
"Yeah," Yukari replied. "We'll definitely need to see about other foods, too… wonder if Mitsuru-senpai knows any good caterers…"
"Takeba, you called?" Mitsuru asked from across the dining room table, having sat down for just a moment before the question was popped.
"Oh, Senpai!" Yukari said, surprised at Mitsuru's presence. "Do you know any really good caterers? We're likely going to need a lot of food for the wedding reception…"
"Actually, yes, I do know of some good caterers," Mitsuru answered, nodding. "My uncle on my mother's side is one of the best there is."
"Good to hear, Senpai," Minato remarked. "You think he'd be able to cater for a Wedding Reception in the Tatsumi Port Island Hotel on May 10th?"
"He'll be in the area, yes," Mitsuru said. "However, I'll need to ask him if he'll be free at the time, for the benefit of this wedding."
"Sounds good," Yukari replied. "Okay, we have a venue for the reception and a potential caterer… now we need to book a chapel or shrine…"
"Did someone mention booking a chapel or shrine?" Junpei asked, startling the people sitting down. "I happen to know someone who's in the business of making marriages happen, and he's in charge of a church nearby, in this neck of Japan."
"Really?" Nayuki asked. "Friend of the family?"
"My mom's brother, actually," Junpei said, scratching the back of his head in partial embarrassment. "He's the one who told me about the Tower of Babel, which is how I got the reference Akihiko-senpai was making then."
"I see," Mitsuru replied. "Well, it seems like things are coming together nicely - what else do you need to figure out, Arisato, Takeba?"
"Ring sizes, primarily," Minato said. "We still don't know all the details in regards to this part… and we need to find a shop for wedding rings that can help us out."
"Well, I read in the newspapers that an antiques shop opened in Paulownia Mall yesterday, but it offers Jewelry services on the side," Junpei said. "Apparently the owner's an old hand at making rings and the like, and recently relocated from another town."
"Wait… what's the name of the owner, Junpei-san?" Nayuki asked, looking at him expectantly.
"According to the article, it's a guy named Shigeru Wajima," Junpei replied.
Mitsuru's ears perked up at this. "Kinomoto, didn't you mention a Wajima earlier?" she asked. "The man who crafted most of your Wizard Rings, right?"
Nayuki perked up at hearing those questions, before her face met the table. Upon picking her head up, she said, "It's him, alright. Only one Shigeru Wajima is able to pull off this sort of jewelry-based stunt… he sees me as a member of his family."
"Well, might be good to see him, then," Yukari replied. "I'd imagine he'd be good at helping with the ring sizing for our wedding rings, and we might get his help for more Wizard Rings, too."
"Yes, that's a good point," Nayuki said, before sighing. "How am I supposed to explain the situation to him?"
"What situation?" Akihiko asked, as he walked in.
"The man who helped craft Kinomoto's Wizard Rings is in town," Mitsuru replied. "I'm assuming the 'situation' she's thinking of explaining to him is the current situation with the Dark Hour, Shadows, Tartarus, and the local Phantoms."
"That's part of it, Senpai," Nayuki said. "However, I'm more concerned with this Nyarlathotep guy, so that's what's getting me worried about talking to Wajima. He might think of Nyarlathotep as a regular Phantom, not whatever he really is, and supply me with a Ring to use against that entity."
"Well, we'll just need to see what happens," Yukari remarked. "And more Rings wouldn't be a bad thing… I'd be up for going to see him now, if that would be alright."
"I don't see a problem with that, except that it's getting late," Mitsuru said. "We could probably do it after school tomorrow, though, to make sure that the issue of time isn't one."
"Sounds alright with me," Nayuki replied. "We'll head there as soon as school lets out tomorrow."
Paulownia Mall - After School, April 25, 2009
As it turned out, there wasn't anything to be done after school the next day, so they made their way to the mall and found the shop in question.
"I remember growing up in his previous shop after the first Black Sabbath Ritual," Nayuki remarked, as she, Mitsuru, Yukari, and Minato stood in front of the shop, the sign Antique Shop Omokagedo standing proudly over the door. "Definitely a bit smaller than his old place, but given that he's in a mall now, I guess that's to be expected."
"Ah, Nayuki-chan," a man's voice called out from inside the shop, before Wajima opened the door. "How may I help you? Oh? You brought friends, right?"
"Yeah… I did," Nayuki replied. "They're also fellow students over at Gekkoukan High. I'd like you to meet Mitsuru Kirijo, Yukari Takeba, and Minato Arisato." She then smiled. "Can we come in, Wajima-jiisan?"
"Certainly," Wajima said, cheerfully letting the four in. Once they were inside, he turned to face them and asked, "How may I be of service to you today?"
"Minato-san and Yukari-san here are engaged," Nayuki replied, smiling. "When we heard you were here, we thought you might be able to help size the wedding rings." Her smile then faded. "Yukari-san could also probably use your services with the special Rings you make… and there's a chance I might need new ones, as well."
Wajima nodded thoughtfully, before his mind caught up with his ears, prompting his eyes to bug out as he asked, "Are there really Phantoms in town that were missed from the Black Sabbath? And Yukari-san is a Magic User like you?"
"Not sure if they were missed, or they had a different origin, but yes, there are Phantoms here," Nayuki replied. "And they aren't the only problem, either." She sighed. "And yes, Yukari-san is also a Magic User - she goes by 'Kamen Rider Sage'."
"'Kamen Rider Sage', huh?" Wajima asked, while getting a feel for the title in his mind. "Hmm… that's a unique name for her. Now… what else is a problem compared to the Phantoms and their Ghouls?"
Thirty Minutes Later
"And that's where we stand as of now, Wajima-jiisan," Nayuki finished, summing up the past thirty minutes of explaining the entire situation - The Dark Hour, Tartarus, Shadows, SEES, the local Phantoms, Philemon, and Nyarlathotep.
"I see," Wajima said with a nod. "So, you need new Wizard Rings for the situation, I take it? Otherwise, the wedding rings will be the only rings I'll make for this trip."
"We likely will need new Wizard Rings as the situation develops, yes," Nayuki replied. "Apart from the obvious, of needing to use it on Phantoms, Magic does seem to be effective against Shadows, as well - main thing we don't know yet is if it can work on Nyarlathotep, but we'll need to get a lot stronger before we can face him, regardless."
"I see what you mean," Wajima said, before letting off a sigh. "Alright, because I don't want to be seen as playing favorites, I'll have to ask that you let me get the ring fingers measured… unless you want me to have you come back another day."
"Alright," they all said, as Minato and Yukari stepped forward first, for the wedding ring measurements.
Xamusel: Well… after getting vastly sidetracked, things finally worked out, especially for getting this chapter uploaded. What's next on the to-do list for us? Well, on my end, more stories to write.
Still, for that matter, Takeshi and I will have some extra fun with this story as time goes on. After all, with Nyarly about to show up as a local resident… oops, did I just say that out loud?
Anyway, expect more from Takeshi and myself, especially stuff we can finish. Hopefully we can finish this and the side story series that comes with having a Xenosaga crossover (especially given that the crossover needs to be fully split up and written as three parts).
So… TTFN! Ta Ta For Now!
...why am I quoting Tigger from Winnie the Pooh? Okay, more serious farewell, Hasta Luego!