Song of the Shadows- Chapter 7
Disclaimer: NOPE :D
"Honey-sempai! Mori-sempai! Why were you late? The session is over." Haruhi greeted the two.
Honey tried to say something, but couldn't find the right words. In the end, he just looked like a goldfish. A very cute blonde goldfish. Haruhi turned to look at Mori, who didn't have any expression on his face, as usual.
"I… ah- well." Honey managed to say, and looked up hesitantly at Mori. "It was incredible- but we saw a Sailor Senshi, I think. She was called 'Sailor Song' and she was trying to protect us, and- Mayaki from class 1A managed to turn into a demon- I know it sounds incredible, but…"
"Sailor Senshi!? That's- that's- wow. I thought they were a gimmick." Haruhi shrugged, and went back to her work.
"Takashi… Do you think that she'll be fine?" Honey asked- and suddenly he wasn't sure who he was referring to.
"They'll be fine."
"Is that so?"
A nod.
"Ah! Then it's time for cake!" Honey skipped over to one of the tables happily, with Mori following behind.
But there was something strange about Sailor Song. She reminded him of someone- Honey just couldn't put his finger on the matter. He shrugged, grabbing Usa-chan to his chest. But she was in agony- yet she managed to leap up the roof… He had heard of the Sailor Senshi, and there was the news that they had saved the world from destruction countless times, but he had never thought much about it. They wouldn't appear randomly, unless there was trouble.
But now, he had his cake, and Mori next to him-
"It wasn't a good idea, sempai! Following them like that-"
"But Haaaaaruhiiiii! You were curious, too!"
-And there was the failure of their plan to try and understand the three idols.
"Tell me you're really just shy and curious, please. Not just- a game, or a toy, or something you get fascinated with before you- you dispose of it."
And Takako's words, too.
"Ne, ne, Haru-chan, what did Taka-chan mean?" Honey asked, slicing his cake.
Haruhi sighed, and shrugged. She pushed Tamaki away and walked over to the table, sitting on the armchair. Tamaki looked considerably thoughtful (and Honey was sure that Tamaki was going to come up with yet another plan-). The twins stood near Kyoya, surprisingly silent.
"I think she was offended," Tamaki offered.
"Offended? But-"
"We didn't do anything-"
"Did we?" The twins chorused.
"You are all so incredibly dense!" Haruhi chided. "They're idols, so they're constantly surrounded by fans, and treated like a form of god, with attention always on them- like tourist attractions. Now that they've finally got some free time, won't they want to be alone?"
"Won't they be used to the attention?"
"Besides, we were trying to find out more-"
"No!" Haruhi burst out, holding a hand to her forehead. "The way you guys treat them- you've got to be sincere! Mizune-san doesn't want to be treated like a game of sorts- that's why I didn't think it was a good idea-"
"We weren't treating her like a game, were we, Takashi?" Honey piped up.
"Ne, ne, Haruhi- could it be that-"
"You're interested in-"
"Takako Mizune?"
"YOU PERVERTS! HARUHI WOULD NEVER L-" Tamaki was pushed away before he could continue.
"I don't like her. It's just that-" Haruhi sighed. "You guys treat me the same way, too. I'm a commoner, and somehow that makes me very different. But I understand that you guys are just being arrogant and ignorant, so.
"But, you've got to see it from her point of view? Having people treat her like a form of entertainment- looking at her when she's obviously trying to be alone with her guardians…"
Honey nodded, and continued eating his cake. Soon, the only sound in the room was Kyoya's typing on his laptop.
"By the way, Honey-sempai, Mori-sempai, you missed the entire club session," Kyoya spoke up from behind his laptop.
"Ah, that. It's rather peculiar, but… we saw Sailor Song! Didn't we, Takashi?"
"Yeah."
Hikaru and Kaoru started laughing, but Tamaki merely looked stunned. But they stopped almost instantly- to have Honey and Mori so serious about this… They had never thought that the Sailor Senshis actually existed- when it sounded so much like a joke. Honey placed the spoon on the plate and smiled.
"It's really true… I guess that Sailor Senshis actually exist, ne? She even saved my life!"
"Ah…?" Kyoya muttered, and closed his laptop. "Do you mind describing her to me?"
0*0*0*0
Takako lowered her sunglasses, and tugged at the T-shirt that was causing so much pain to her back every time it rustled. At least her arms had healed. Trying to blend in with the background, Takako took her hair out of her signature ponytail. People who passed by her had stared, before dismissing her as 'just a wannabe who looks like Mizune-san'. Grumbling, Takako folded her arms. Hotaru, her new manager, had suggested meeting up at the local book café- such that they would try to get to know each other.
"It's pretty silly, considering that she has my file," Takako mumbled, still a little disgruntled at having to wake up really early on a Saturday.
"Ah, Mizune-san, I hope I haven't kept you waiting," a voice piped up from behind her-
Takako turned to see- a frail girl who looked slightly younger than her- black hair framing her face, and a hand clutching her other arm. Raising an eyebrow at her pale complexion, Takako wondered if she was alright. She looked like a very odd fan, for most of Takako's fans were a little more punkish- if she was one-
"Wait-"
"Ah, I see I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hotaru Tomoe, and I will be your new manager."
"Tomoe-san… Shall we enter the café?"
Hotaru nodded, and led the way, weaving through the bookshelves and tables. Takako followed silently, vaguely aware of how precarious the bookshelves were- old and musty, looking as though any sudden vibration would cause them to fall- just like Tomoe-san, no?
"Ah, please take a seat, Mizune-san."
Takako did as she suggested, and settled into the armchair. It was cozy enough, the velvet covering embracing her. Still, Takako tried not to lean back for fear that it would cause more friction on her back.
"You don't look very old." Stupid Takako stupidly moved her stupid lips to stupidly state. "I meant no offense- I just thought that managers were supposed to be of a certain age."
"I understand, Mizune-san. I am older than you, if that is of any consolation. Besides, age is a mere number." Upon saying this, Hotaru seemed to smirk knowingly, as though enjoying an inside joke.
This isn't fair!
"W-well, I guess that is pretty nice to know? So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I was hoping you would provide some answer to that, Mizune-san."
What.
Well.
Uh.
I can't talk about myself- that would be totes awkward.
"How about not calling me 'Mizune-san'? I mean, while we are working together, it might be better for us to talk to each other like friends? Well, we do have to be professional-"
"Relax, Takako-chan. We're teenagers," Hotaru murmured, obviously amused.
No. She's not a teenager. How do I put it- she seems older than she looks.
Wait. She is older than she looks.
Ugh I'm confused.
"W-well. Since you've started- well. I guess. Coffee?" Takako suggested, and then pouted. "Okay, you know what, screw this. I'm no good with formalities, especially with cute girls- no wait, I wasn't flirting. Ugh."
"It's fine. I'm- well, shall we get coffee? Though I must admit, I'd prefer black tea to anything else," Hotaru giggled.
"Umh. I'm getting a frappucino. I'll go order our drinks?" She had meant it as a question, but was already getting out of her seat.
"It would seem so."
Takako shrugged in an effort to seem nonchalant, and grinned sheepishly. This was a very awkward friend-date thing, but all the same- caffeine never fails to break the ice! Takako walked over to the counter, and joined the line. Hotaru reminded her of Shadow, for some reason. The younger-looking girl was emitting some kind of a darker aura. And she looked a little more alone. Like Haruka and Michiru, the girl was extremely graceful. Graceful and somehow… dangerously firm.
Takako glanced back, and realised that Hotaru had purple highlights in her hair. She stifled a snicker- everyone had a punkish side to them, huh. Even demure-looking Hotaru had that side to her, huh?
"How may I help- oh my god- it's Ta-" the barista almost yelled, and Takako immediately placed a hand over her lips.
"Please," Takako muttered, slowly removing her hand.
Geez.
Now everyone's glancing at me!
"R-right!" And then, in a lower voice, "I'm a big fan of yours- say, Usagi-chan will be so happy with a signature-?"
"Uh-" Takako glanced at the barista's tag. "Kino-san, would you mind helping me with my order?"
"Yes! What will that be?"
"A black tea, and a white chocolate frappuccino, thank you."
Kino- well, Makoto- blushed, and entered the order. "That, will be twelve dollars in total- Cash, or credit, ma'am?"
Takako hurriedly passed her the cash, and stuffed the change into her pockets. She hummed a tune idly, and tried brushing her bangs onto her face, hoping that she didn't seem too conspicuous. Makoto had already gotten back to her work, though now, she seemed a little happier. Takako grabbed the drinks, and started walking back to her seat.
Hotaru's eyes were closed, and she seemed to be deep in concentration. Takako hesitated- uncertain if she should disturb Hotaru, but found a pair of dark-purple eyes staring up at her a second later. Placing the drinks on the table, Takako settled into her chair, and rather viciously stabbed a straw into her cup.
"So, Hotaru-san? I didn't know you had a punk side to you?"
"Punk?"
"Your hair."
"It's a mutation of sorts, I believe. I'm not really sure how it turned purplish…"
Okay.
Screwed up.
What do I do.
"Anyway- why are you working? Shouldn't you be in university, or-?"
"Ah, that. I'm actually done with university-"
"You're over your twenties? My life has been a lie!" Takako blurted.
There was an awkward silence before Hotaru burst out laughing.
"N-no! I was home-schooled, and then I got into university before graduating just last year! I'm only seventeen this year!"
Seventeen!
SEVENTEEN AND ALREADY OUT FROM UNIVERSITY
WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE
oh right-
I'm defending the world.
Fair enough.
"That is impressive, Hotaru-san."
"It is, indeed."
Takako took a sip of her frappuccino and racked her brains for something to say. A shadow loomed over them, and Takako jumped-
"Hello- oh! Hotaru-chan! What a coincidence!" Makoto exclaimed.
"Hello, Makoto-chan." Hotaru smiled.
"Wait, you know each other? Not that I'm interested. Well, I am interested. It's just- nothing." Takako said, her voice trailing off.
The bookshelves seemed to be swaying from side to side. Takako rubbed her eyes- was she just hallucinating? But there was something…
"Yeah, we're… we're team members. For a sort of thing." Makoto explained. "Well- Ta- uh, Mizu-san, would you mind signing this for me?"
Takako glanced at Hotaru, who simply shrugged. "Okay… I guess it doesn't matter, ne, Manager-san?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow at Hotaru, mouthing 'manager?'. Hotaru shook her head slightly, and gave Makoto a stern gaze. Makoto sighed. Takako returned the cards and then pen to Makoto, and flashed what-she-thought-was a dazzling smile. Makoto grinned back.
There was a strange energy- that didn't feel foreign, nor evil… Takako gazed at the bookshelves, wondering if she was imagining the tremors.
"We need to… catch up soon, Hotaru-san. Rei's temple on Wednesday?"
"We will see," Hotaru murmured, cupping the mug in her tiny hands.
Makoto nodded, and left.
"A team, huh?"
"A team," Hotaru confirmed.
There didn't seem to be any space for doubts when Hotaru affirmed it. Takako shrugged and sighed. This… Hotaru Tomoe was quite interesting.
"So, Hotaru-chan-"
A scream.
Not again? A monster?
"MONSTER!"
Oh. Right. Monster.
Hotaru stood up so abruptly that the tea in her mug sloshed around. She glanced at the bookshelves, and then back at Takako.
"We need to get out of here. I'll get Makoto-chan. Please, Takako-chan, leave."
Takako narrowed her eyes, still glancing at Hotaru's retreating figure. There was something about Hotaru Tomoe. But for now… the crowds were screaming- and a particularly sinister cackle reverberated in the café. A book fell to the floor. It was stage-time for Song.
Pulling out her communicator, Takako hastily informed Haruka and Michiru of the demon.