Chapter 14: Summer Vacation Part 1

Time of Day: ?
Weather: ?
Place: The Velvet Room

"Why hello there, Sora," Igor greets. "Welcome to the Velvet Room."

I take a look at my surroundings. The Velvet Room looks completely different. It's not the same limousine full of expensive alcohol and stuff like that. It's a large open blue room, and Igor is sitting on a velvet Victorian couch. Behind him is what seems to be old-fashioned elevator doors. Even the table in the limo, which was just small, is now a large round one.

"Uh, Igor? Why is the Velvet Room a huge elevator?" I ask. "A boring-looking one at that."

"Oh, our normal place is being cleaned," He says in a matter-of-factly way.

"So what you're saying is that a place between mind and matter, consciousness and unconsciousness, reality and dreams, needs to be cleaned?" I ask.

"Wow, I'm surprised you remembered what Master Igor said to you on your first day with him!" A woman suddenly appears next to the couch. She's holding a book similar to Margaret's, has white hair in a bob cut, and is wearing a blue sleeveless dress. She has a small blue hat that looks like something a bellhop would wear.

"Umm, who's that?" I ask.

"That's not important," she says. "All you need to know is that I'm taking my older sister's place for the day. She's currently taking a break and will return to her duties next time you come to the Velvet Room." The woman smiles. "Plus, you won't see me again after today, so why bother?" Compared to Margaret, her sister is much more cheery and bubbly. "

"Okayyy…" Looks like even mysterious secretaries need to take a break every once in awhile. Where'd she go to, a casino? Probably, considering they use cards there too!

"Speaking of breaks," Igor says. "After that climactic fight you had, a well deserved break is without question."

"Time may be of the essence, but knowing when to take a break is just as important," the woman says.

The large doors behind them open, filling the area with a blinding light.

July 30, 2015
Time of Day: Night
Weather: Clear Skies
Place: Dojima Residence

"Why'd you let them cook the food?" Roxas asks.

"I didn't!" I tell him. "Yuffie and Namine just started to cook stuff and wouldn't let me stop them!"

"I don't get it, what's so wrong with their cooking?" Donald asks.

"Oh yeah, you weren't here when those two gave Roxas food poisoning," Riku says.

"It's ready!" Yuffie calls out.

When we got to my house to celebrate our victory, Yuffie and Namine started to cook. I attempted to stop them so Zack wouldn't have to come home and find a dead body, but alas, Yuffie stopped any attempt of me kicking them out of my kitchen. Kairi went to join them, so hopefully she's able to cook. She works at a bakery, so it'd make sense. Right?

"Yay! Omelettes!" Usagi cheers.

"Omelettes?" I say. "You're making breakfast for dinner?"

"It's not our fault your house had like 3 dozen eggs," Kairi says.

"In our defense, we buy stuff in bulk," I tell her.

The three of them bring their omelettes. Each one looks different for some reason. Namine's has a weird white coloration to it, Yuffie's looks like a regular omelette, and… Kairi's is completely orange.

"Kairi, what the hell is with your omelette?" I ask her.

"It's a secret!" She says in a sing-song voice. Oh god help us. "Sora, why don't you taste it?" Oh god help me.

"Do I have to?" I ask. She glares at me. "Fine... Gimme a fork."

My hand slowly shakes toward the plate in front of me. I cut a piece off, and even the inside of the omelette is orange! "Bon appetit…" I stuff the egg in my mouth, and feel nothing but a burning sensation. My mouth and my tongue quickly start to become numb. I don't even taste any eggs! I swallow to get it over with, and gulp down some water.

"Soooo, how was it?" Kairi asks with a smug grin.

"I can't feel my mouth," I rasp. There's a powerful burning sensation in my throat. It just keeps on getting worse and worse. "What did you put in that monster?"

Kairi pouts. "Hmph! It's a taste too subtle for kids! You have to be mature in order to fully experience my cooking's full potential!" Kairi starts to cry.

"Stop it with the fake crying, drama queen!" Yuffie says. "That's what you get for gloating even before we started cooking."

Kairi stops crying immediately. Looks like she really was faking it. "At least now we know you can act," I comment. Kairi sits down, still pouting. Looks like she's the type that doesn't take defeat well…

"Okay, looks like I'm up next!" Namine says. She puts the plate in front of Riku.

"Huh?" Riku's eyes bulge out. "Why me?!"

"Please…" Namine gives puppy dog eyes.

Riku starts to blush. Dammit man, be strong! Don't fall for the witch's tricks! Riku stuffs a piece of omelette in his mouth.

"So, how does it taste?" Namine asks.

Riku chews with a sour look on his face. "That's the thing… I don't taste anything."

"What?" Namine has a surprised look on her face.

"I'm being serious." Riku swallows. "There's literally no flavor."

Namine's face fills with embarrassment. "Your tastes just aren't refined as mine!"

"Well, looks like I'm up!" Yuffie says cheerfully.

"Ooh, I'll taste this one!" Donald raises his hand. He takes the plate, and eats part of the omelette.

"It it good?" Roxas asks. His face is full of concern. He should just be happy he didn't have to taste anything. My throat is still burning.

"Wow!" he says in a surprised voice. "This tastes awful!"

"Then why were you so misleading about it?!" Yuffie asks.

I get out of my seat. "Looks like I'll just have to make or order something myself I guess. What do you want to eat Usagi?"

"Huh, umm…" She starts twiddling her thumbs. "I'm fine with anything I guess."

"You're just being modest," I say. "Now c'mon, what do you really want?"

Usagi taps her chin, as if going into deep thought. Her cheeks stretch as a smile creeps onto her lips. "How about you make an omelette!"

"Okay!" I smile.

"These better be good Sora," Roxas tells me. "We haven't had any casualties so far, so I'm hoping that you do good."

"I'll try to!" I start to gather my ingredients. Once everything is gathered, I start to cook everything. After a couple minutes, I arrive at the table with my omelette. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

"Wow, yours actually looks normal!" Roxas praises me.

"So did mine," Yuffie mumbles angrily.

"How about you be my taste tester Usagi?" I ask.

"Sure!" She smiles as she takes the plate and fork from me. She cuts a piece off, and puts it in her mouth. Her entire face lights up. "It's amazing!"

"Lemme try." Roxas cuts a piece of the omelette and eats it. "It's actually good! What's you put in it?"

"Potatoes, bacon, sausage, and shredded cheese." I smile. "Would you be even more impressed if I told you I winged all of this?"

"Impressive," Riku says. "Now are you going to make some for us, or what? I'm hungry."

Making my way back into the kitchen, I start preparing a meal for the rest of the gang. After a good half hour or so, everyone's food is ready. They all eat it heartily, with Donald practically inhaling his!

Everyone is having their own tiny conversations with each other. One thing I notice is that Donald has been talking to Usagi.

"Looks like I'll have to go back to my world now…" he says sadly.

"Huh? How come?" Usagi asks.

"Well, everyone else kept their promise to help me clear my world of the bad guys." Donald sighs. "That means I'll have to go back…"

"Why don't you make a promise with me then?"

"What do ya mean?"

"Promise me that you'll come play!" Usagi smiles and holds her pinky out.

Donald's face lights up. "Sure!" He wraps his pinky around hers.

"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye!" They chant in unison.

Donald turns to me. "So Sora, is it okay that I stay here longer?"

"Why would you even ask?" I question him. "Of course you can!"

"Really? Thanks!" He goes back to talking with Usagi.

Everyone stays until late night. We all agreed that'd we'd do something together at one point, but for now we'd all just get some r&r for a couple days.

July 31, 2015
Time of Day: Noon
Weather: Sunny
Place: Destiny Islands- Beach

As I walk down the beach, basking in the warm sunlight, I notice Riku wading through the tide pools in the rocky area of the beach. He keeps on dipping his arms underwater, and a small boy is watching him.

"Hey Riku!" I yell to get his attention. He looks over in my direction and waves. As I get closer, I notice the small boy's eyes are bloodshot and his nose is red. "What's going on?"

"I'm trying to find this boy's chocobo plushie." Riku continues to sift through the underwater rocks.

I turn to the boy. "How'd it end up in the tide pool?"

The boy sniffs. "I was playing with it and I tripped and it fell and… and…" The boy starts to cry. "My big sister will hate me when she finds out!"

"Aww, don't cry." I pat his head. "I'll help find it. You okay with that Riku?"

"Hm? Uh, yeah. Sure." It seems that Riku is really determined to find the plushie. I take off my shoes, and walk into the tide pool.

After a while of sifting through rocks and me getting pinched by a crab, Riku gets out of the tide pool. "What's wrong? Why'd you get out?" I ask.

He turns to the boy. "Listen kid, I think your plushie was lost during high tide. There's no way we'll be able to find it here." The boy starts to cry again. "Do you ever stop crying? It's fine, I can just make you a new one."

"Really?" The boy sniffs.

"Yeah, I can. Just follow me to my place." Riku slips on some sandals. "You coming too Sora?"

"Oh hey, you acknowledged my existence!" Seriously, the entire time I was helping him look, it's like he didn't even know I was here. "But yeah, I'll come."

Time of Day: Noon
Weather: Sunny
Place: Riku's House

"I actually just realized something." I say to Riku as he creates the boy's new plushie.

"And what is that?" Riku cuts some thread with his teeth.

"Haven't you done something like this before? You know, like right before you got your Persona."

Riku stops sewing for a second. "Oh yeah, you're right. Guess I just forgot."

"You know, you're a really kind person," I tell him. "Even if you are kinda the quiet one in our group."

Riku turns toward me and smiles. "Thanks. I'm actually surprised you guys even deal with me. You know, with like everyone in this town thinking I'm some thug."

"They're just judging a book by its cover," I assure him.

"Their opinion of me doesn't matter anymore." Riku gets out of his chair. "Anyway, I'm done. Wanna take a look?"

"Sure!" I walk toward his table. In the middle of a bunch of thread, cotton stuffing, and scissors there are two chocobo plushies. One has a ballerina motif to it, and the other has a struggle bat held in one of its wings. "Woah." Each plushie was extremely intricate. "But why are there two?"

"I thought I might make one for the kid." Riku shrugs. "Just to cheer him up." We walk out of Riku's room and into his living room. The boy is sitting down quietly, but when he sees the dolls, his face brightens immediately.

"Wow! Those are amazing!" The boy jumps out of his seat, and rushes to Riku.

"Here, this one is for your sis." He hands him the ballerina chocobo. "Make sure you tell her the truth about what happened, and for her to take this as an apology."

"Sure!" The boy's gaze shifts to the other plushie. "Who is that for?"

"This one…" He hands the boy the other doll. "Is for you." He gives the kid a warm smile.

"Really? Thanks mister!" He smiles.

"Please don't call me that." Riku blushes in embarrassment. "I'm not even that old. Anyway, off you go."

"Okay then!" The boy runs to Riku's house door. "Thanks again!"

August 1, 2015
Time of Day: Afternoon
Weather: Sunny
Place: Destiny Islands Streets

"So have you heard from that kid from yesterday?" I ask Riku.

"Not yet," he says. "But from the way he acted, he seemed super happy."

"Great job. Maybe I'll come to you when I need to get a suit altered," I tease him.

"Oh shaddup." We both laugh.

Two officers walk up to us out of nowhere. "Riku Tatsumi, right? I'd like to have a word with you," one cop says. He has a name tag that says David, and the other has one that says Haley.

"Yeah, well I wouldn't," Riku retorts.

"Come with us," Officer David says.

"Riku didn't do anything," I protest.

"Wait a minute… Aren't you one of the kids Riku here has been with lately?" Officer Haley asks. "So you're in cahoots."

"What's it to ya?" Riku asks. "It doesn't matter that we hang out."

"There have been a group of teenage bullies harassing younger kids," David explains. "We got a tip that you were threatening a child by the beach."

"A child?" Riku's face shifts into deep thought. "Oh, him."

"So you admit it?" David asks. "And not even a shred of remorse."

"It's all just a misunderstanding," I explain. "We were helping him out!"

"Oh really?" Haley asks. "Just come with us to the station. We'll get it settled there."

"We're telling you that we didn't do anything!" Riku says.

As Riku argues about our innocence, I see the boy from yesterday walking toward us. "Hey guys! What are you doing?"

"You know these boys, kid?" David asks.

"Did this boy ask you for anything?" Haley asks. "For instance, did he claim he lost his money?"

"You lost your money?" the boy asks innocently. "You can have some of mine if you want!" Please don't dig us a deeper grave, kid.

"Just as I thought…" David says.

"Hey, don't take the kid's words out of context!" I say to them. "What kinda cop even asks a kid those questions?"

"Anyway, my older sis made some cookies for them as thanks!" The boy holds up some tupperware. "I was going to drop them off at your house, but I just ran into you."

"Thanks? Thanks for what?" Haley and David both have confused looks on their faces.

"That guy made me and my sister some toys yesterday! He replaced the doll that I lost!" The boy goes onto describe how each one looked.

"You're saying Riku, this guy, made you dolls?" David asks.

"So what if I made some dolls?" Riku asks. "Lemme warn you, they were so cute that they'd instantly give you diabetes! Want me to teach you how to make 'em? Huh?!" Haley backs up from Riku's outburst.

Riku points at David. "You! You're about to say that ain't like me, right? Go ahead and laugh dammit! Like I even care, I'm used to being pointed at!"

"And you!" Riku turns to Haley. "That button is loose! You want me to sew it back on for ya?!" Riku continues to scream at the officers. Haley even put up his arms! Even when talking about cutesy things, Riku isn't a guy you take lightly.

David sighs in defeat. "Fine, fine! You're not guilty!"

"Sorry for wasting your time…" Haley says grudgingly. The two officers walk away, clearly embarrassed at what just happened.

I turn to Riku. "You good now?"

"Yeah." Riku sighs and smiles proudly. "It felt good to get that off of my chest."

"Umm, mister?" The boy says.

Riku turns around. "I told you not to call me that, but what's up?"

"My older sis told her friends about what you made, and now they want you to teach them," the boy explains.

Riku blushes. "Really?"

"They said they'd even pay you!"

Riku waves his hands in front of him. "No, no, it's okay. I can teach 'em."

The boy's face brightens. "Really? Thanks! I'll go tell my sis!" The boy starts to run back from where he came. "Follow me!"

"Sure! Just, uh, give me a minute!" Riku says. "Are you coming, Sora?"

"Sewing and making dolls isn't really my forte," I tell him. "I think I'll just leave this to you."

"Okay then." Riku walks toward the boy. "See you later!"

"See ya!" I wave bye at the two. Riku's face is happy and peaceful, like he's finally at ease with who he really is. Now that that's over, maybe I'll just get some food before I go home… Oh yeah, that's right. Almost forgot.

I'm broke.

August 2, 2015
Time of Day: Evening
Weather: Sunny
Place: Moogle Co.- Food Court

"Sorry I had to force you to help me with the sale today," Roxas apologizes

"Nah, it's okay," I tell him. "I needed money anyway."

"Didn't you say that your parents send you some every month?"

"Yeah, but with the girls cooking at my house, they used up a bunch of stuff. I had to buy the groceries myself."

"Ouch."

"Definitely."

As we talk, two girls walk up to us. It's definitely not to flirt with us, considering they have sour looks on their face. "What's with the crowd today?" one girl asks. "If I'd known it were this busy, I would've skipped."

"Please don't Shanelle." Roxas stands up. "You got a bonus for today, right?"

"Yeah, a whole 500 Munny!" The other girl says sarcastically. "I'm trying to save up! Give me a raise!"

"You know I'm not in charge of that stuff Yuko," Roxas says.

"What's the point then?" she asks. The two girls go someplace else.

"Talk about-" I'm interrupted by loud snooty gossip.

"Seriously, now my graduation trip gonna be somewhere in the country," Shanelle says. "I probably just get my parents to pay for it."

"Why don't you find a guy to pay for it?" Yuko asks her.

"Ha! Like Larxene did?" Shanelle says.

Roxas' eyes bulge at the snooty bitch's comment. He's biting his lip, as if he's stopping himself from retorting. "It's all just talk. I'm not letting it get to me." Roxas sighs. "It sucks to be talked like that though. I know she hated me and all, but at least we got the guy who killed her. So when people who know nothing about the situation talk like that, it doesn't matter."

"Woah, you sounded super mature," I complement.

Roxas smiles sheepishly. "Really out of character for me, I guess."

"Not really," I say. "People all have sides of them we don't exactly see."

August 3, 2015
Time of Day: Noon
Weather: Cloudy
Place: Moogle Co.- Food Court

"Hey, Roxas!" Yuko yells at us. Roxas and I were just getting a quick bite to eat. Paid by him, of course. I'm still broke, and we're both on break.

"What is it today?" Roxas asks. He has an annoyed tone to his voice.

"How come Lightning got the day off and we can't?" Shanelle asks.

"Huh?" Roxas has a confused look.

"We told you before! We can't work on Saturdays!" Yuko says. "When we refused, they said they'd fire us! I don't get this!"

"Isn't it because you two have been taking absences without leave lately?" Roxas stands up.

"I-I just forgot to come…" she says. "That's not the point! What are you going to do about it? I have a date on Saturday!"

"Looks like you're favoring another employee," Shanelle says. "It's just like with Larxene!"

Roxas become shell-shocked. "...I don't think she has to do with anything in this conversation."

"Yeah, it does!" Yuko says. "Everyone knows you liked her, and treated her special!" The two girls continue to bitch about their problems and how Larxene hated Roxas. I can tell Roxas is holding in as much rage as he can right now.

"Will you two just shut the hell up?!" I interject. Roxas looks at me with a surprised look.

"Y-You shut up!" Shanelle says.

"No, you're the ones who should shut up!" Roxas says. "What do you know about Larxene? At least she didn't do things half-assed like you! She looked lazy, but she worked hard! She talked bad, but was actually a good person! So she hated me? I knew that! She's not here anymore, I'm left behind! So just please! LEAVE. ME. ALONE."

The girls, clearly surprised at my friend's outburst, leave silently.

Roxas inhales and exhales. "I just blurted out a buncha crap, didn't I?"

"You were just upset," I tell him.

"N-No, I was just…" Roxas melancholy smiles . "Thanks for standing up to me."

"No problem. What are friends for?"

"Yeah. Anyway, c'mon. Break's nearly over." As Roxas talks, I hear signs of disdain in his voice.

August 4, 2015
Time of Day: Evening
Weather: Cloudy
Place: Destiny Islands- Beach

I arrive at the beach, greeted by a pensive Roxas. He's holding something in his hand.

"It's a picture Larxene took of me." Roxas must notice where my attention is focused. "She was part of the Photography Club. When I first got here, she insisted me on taking it."

I look at the picture. Roxas is walking down the beach with a bored look on his face. "Back then… Somewhere inside me, I thought I was above this place…"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"A lot of people saw me as the enemy, because my dad's store was going to ruin the shopping district…" Roxas looks out to the sea. "But when I met her, she told me, 'Parents are parents. You're you.' Even if she didn't mean it, it made me really happy."

Roxas was sad that he moved here? That's the complete opposite of me, who wanted to come here and make some friends. I was hopeful, while he was full of despair.

"Because of her, I started to think maybe this town wasn't all that bad. But then…"

"She died?"

Roxas looks at me with a pained expression. "Why did she… Why'd she have to die? It pisses me off… It makes me mad!" Roxas starts pacing around on the sand. "I wanted to talk to her more! I wanted to get to know her better! But… She's not here anymore…" Roxas starts to sob out loud. "But… I think I get it now Sora."

"Get what?"

"I wanted to forget about her. How she's not here anymore…" Roxas rubs his eyes. "I wanted to forget that I was living a boring life in the boonies. When the murders started, I got excited and thought that I finally had a reason to be here. I thought I could forget that she's gone, and the fact that I was a total loser..."

"Roxas…"

"I'm sorry Larxene… I'm sorry Sora…"

"Don't apologize, Roxas."

"But I got you involved with the case, and all I did was run away from myself." Roxas looks at me with bloodshot eyes. "I think… I think that I'm finally awake now. I need to get over the fact that Larxene isn't coming back… I have nowhere else to run to now that the case is over and that I wouldn't have changed…" Roxas smiles at me. "You guys made me realize that. So, thank you."

"We don't need to be thanked Roxas," I tell him. "All that matters is that you've finally come to a resolve."

"Yeah…" Roxas nods. "I feel like for once, my heart is clear…"

I'm back on my laptop, so the update will be coming! So as you can tell, summer vacation will be split into parts. This part covers Sora getting closer to the guys. In the second part, Sora will be getting closer to the girls. And the third part… Well, I'm just going to leave that one to the imagination. Originally, it was only supposed to be two parts, the parts being getting close to friends and the trip, but then I realized once I finished Roxas, that I was already on 10 pages.

I'll mostly be updating on weekends since I have school. I'm aiming toward a weekly update, to make up for lost time during summer.

Also, did anyone get the crab joke?