Me and A Certain Stupid Guy and A Certain Voice In The Past
First Chapter Part IV
17 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Fumizuki High School; Fumizuki High School Old Building 1st Floor Corridor; 5:20PM – 5:25PM
"Even so… I'm sorry."
"W-Why…?"
As she tried to actually think of a reason, she said...
"I am really sorry, Yokomizo. But right now, I am only interested with someone else..."
...the first person coming to her mind was none other than the Ultimate Idiot himself, whom she had an interest with because of his status as a Magus, like her and Hideyoshi...
"Eh? Yuuko?"
"Who was that person, Kinoshita's sister?"
Or so it seemed... as she realized what she had just said, with her seeing Mizuki and Minami looking at her with surprised expression, making her to feel indifferent. After all, her mind is saying that she had an immediate interest towards that person because of her curiosity to do so.
"I am not really interested into committing romantic relationship with anyone, really. That is what I am talking about, Miss Himeji, Miss Shimada and Yokomizo."
Despite that the fact that the school itself had been training its students, not only for its purpose to prepare the students for their roles to the society in the future, but also for its secret purpose to prepare the Magus among the students in their own capabilities depending on their interests relating magic in the future, not everyone are rather interested in knowing that information towards students who are not Magus themselves, or at least, they never realized they are capable of wielding Magecraft, with the aid of the system the school had used since its establishment.
That is how Yuuko understands the school's true purpose according to an actual information being revealed to her by three certain student organizations within it. Besides that, other than her younger brother and Akihisa, she only knew quite a few people in this school who are actually, at least, knows Magecraft.
This is natural because of the Magi's awareness about their status to the society. Revealing themselves as Magi may definitely cause problems unless if the observer is a Magus as well.
"Then what made you interested with that certain someone, Yuuko?"
Mizuki asked a certain question with a curiosity written on her face.
As of this point, unlike Akihisa, Hideyoshi and those few people whom she can make conversations about Magecraft, Yuuko definitely cannot make one in front of Mizuki, Minami and even Kouji right now, as she haven't seen either one of them talked about Magecraft.
"I cannot say that, Miss Himeji... That fact was rather important to me..."
Mizuki was rather shy as she haven't give her response to Yuuko's answer.
Kouji, on the other hand...
"But tell us... Who's that person―"
"I and Mizuki understand what you mean, Kinoshita's sister. There are things we cannot just say in front of others."
Yuuko heard those words from Minami, made her to think what that girl meant. Other than the fact that Minami may have romantic feelings with Akihisa [1], not with an orangutan [2], being rumored in the past during their study session in the past, making her one of the only students who do not believe on those rumors done by the school's Newspaper Club, she had also thought that Mizuki may have romantic feelings with someone else in the class, most likely Akihisa again, due to the Class 2-F's actions to Cool Summer Festival as she was being told by Shouko about it. [3]
Those rumors might be true after all by chance. After all, this is similar to Akihisa's status as the Punishment Inspector and a certain theory by some of those few people she had talked to regarding the Magecraft that he is one of the five Magicians who are able to wield True Magic. It was still a rumor in the end.
Her competitive nature is something else though. For some reason, it seemed that only a very few people including Akihisa actually noticed that side of her. It was never a rumor though since anyone among Class *-A on each year level will be on par with one another in terms of total academic scores in different ways despite having pre-determined honor students, including Yuuko herself.
It is quite a thought for her to find an actual reason why she acted as one. Her current life has been all about achieving goals as a honor student and Magus with the aid of her mentor Rin Tohsaka... and yet, she is still wondering what it meant to her in the future other than achieving her goal as a novel author and Magecraft researcher.
Right now, all she can do...
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
17 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Kinoshita Residence; Living Room;7:00 PM - 7:15 PM
...is to find answers from those thoughts herself, as she was lying on a sofa looking on the ceiling, thinking about something.
On top of one small table beside that sofa was the eleventh volume of A Certain Magical Index: New Testament light novel. On top of that light novel were two doves on their first flight, both of which were made out of watery ice. Said ice has yet to melt, in that even a little drop of water has even yet to appear for some time now.
The floor around the table, however, was clearly filled with water.
The fact that the doves themselves had yet to melt clearly means that they are products made from altering the normal processes that will prevent the ice to become water at a certain temperature at a certain pressure...
This manipulation can be done through manipulation of temperature of the system within the crystal doves and its surroundings, as well as the surrounding pressure, by the usage of thermodynamic devices such as air conditioners and thermal heaters.
However, despite having air conditioners on within Kinoshita's home, especially considering for this summer season, it only lowers the atmospheric temperature of the home to a targeted variable given by the capabilities of the air conditioners.
It is also possible to use such devices in order to make the surrounding temperature to reach to the acquired value of ice through additional energy. Of course, if the targeted surrounding temperature would be at the freezing point of water or even lower than that, the house will be much like a refrigerator.
Then...
These doves are not products of science.
Rather, they are products of magic.
In order to control magic, you must first control your mind... Lose control, and the mana will rebound back to the user's body... Too much power, or power in the wrong form, will not endanger the user alone, but also anyone around him or her, as well... Strive to consistently maintain the proper flow... It means always remaining reserved and elegant...
Those are the words of Yuuko's mentor when that person taught her the way of controlling magic... and this is what she had done since then.
Acquiring that kind of manipulation would mean that she had been trained to become an adept controlling Fire through the manipulation of thermodynamic properties of the ice doves; Earth through acquiring the required mana enough to maintain the form of those doves; Water through manipulating the forms of ice into her will; and Wind through the manipulation of air to the acquired pressure.
This is unlike Akihisa who seemed to be capable to manipulate those silvery threads to his will in what Yuuko thinks as transmutation... An alchemist, she may have thought.
She indeed acquired the "basics" of controlling magic by learning the Elements as well as studying Magecraft from the books and her mentor. Still, it does not mean that she decided to master any of the four elements as of this point or even expanding what she learned from her mentor.
She has not decide to be an Average One yet... Unlike her mentor, Rin Tohsaka.
"Huh? I had been thinking a lot this time... It is quite a good thing that I can still able to pull that one successfully..."
Yuuko then looked at that floor around that small table, which was still wet and said:
"...after a few attempts."
She sighed as she continued.
"It is quite a good thing that I can able to remove the water from my light novel... or else, I could not able to read the entire backstory of Misaki Shokuhou with Touma Kamijou there some time this night. Besides, more importantly..."
... So I'm expecting you to do your best, Yuuko Kinoshita, Rin Tohsaka's apprentice.
"Woah! Thinking about a lot of things right now really makes pains on my head and my right hand became worse!"
Then, there is the headmaster's words towards her during that one time.
"To be honest, I do not expect myself to do that for him. I cannot sing in front of everyone! I should have rather decline the headmaster about that matter."
As she sighed, a very familiar person in his school uniform had entered the living room.
"I'm back..."
"G-Good e-evening, Hideyoshi..."
Hideyoshi then immediately notices his older twin sister's worry and widens his eyes.
"Hm? Ane-ue, what's with you? It's really unlike you to feel worry at such a moment."
"What do you mean, Hideyoshi? Is it really strange for me to do something like this?"
Hideyoshi raised his brows in a stunned manner as Yuuko now sits on that sofa
No, I didn't mean that… What happened? Is there something troubling you, dear sister?
"Hideyoshi, you're good at singing, right?"
"Singing? Well, it's not that I can be considered good at it, but it's definitely a lot better than yours, dear sister."
"Ku…y-you really dare to say it…! Haa…Why must it be that you can do what I can't do…"
"Besides that and our Magecraft, your studies have been outstanding throughout."
"But I want to have the talent to sing instead of having the talent to study now…"
"Hm..."
She then tells Hideyoshi about the headmaster's actions about the upcoming event on Monday.
"I already knew it thanks to Kirishima's visit..." said Hideyoshi who was rather skeptical about the event generally because of his class's actions back then, "then... What is it? Is it that you have a chance to sing in front of people?"
"That's how it is. Miss Takahashi here told me 'I can only ask you for this, Miss Yuuko Kinoshita.' and hoped that I could perform a promotional movie for the school…"
"Singing in a school promotional video. You mean, singing the school anthem?"
"You're correct."
Yuuko looks away as she felt very depressed.
"If it bothers you so much, couldn't you have refused Miss Takahashi's request?"
Yuuko then stands up as she gives him a slightly angered expression about the situation.
"I don't want to! I've always worked so hard to maintain that outstanding student image in front of everyone. How can I just give up because of such a trivial thing? Don't joke around!"
"You're really dedicated in maintaining your appearance there…"
"That's just like a Kinoshita bloodline or something. You perform on the stage, while I perform the role of an honor student in my daily life."
"Muu, if you think of it that way, we may be really alike, just like the two of us being Magus ourselves..." said Hideyoshi as he then notices Yuuko staring at him eagerly... Dear sister?"
"Hmm…"
"W-What is it, dear sister? Why are you staring at my face? Is there something on it?"
"Hmm…You're, really good at imitating others, right?"
"If possible, I hope you'll call it acting."
"That kind of small thing doesn't matter… Hideyoshi, can you act as me?"
"That sort of level is very easy. I have a clear grasp on your characteristics."
"That's right. Then, if we just swap around for a while during filming, I suppose you'll…"
Hideyoshi then gives a disgusted look to his sister as he backed away.
"Dear sister, are you thinking of letting me take over you…?"
"That's right. As long as you wear my clothes, fill up some things under the chest and don't cause any mishaps, nothing will be exposed, right?"
"Stuff things under the chest? What are you saying, dear sister? That level of chest size doesn't need that kind of thing— DEAR SISTER! WAI…! MY JOINTS THERE MUST NOT BE TWISTED IN THAT DIRECTION…!"
His sister now twisted his hand joints with her left hand as she then points her right index finger towards his back, now with the black orb being summoned.
"G-Gandr Shot again?!"
Hideyoshi referred that Gandr Shot to that little black orb being summoned through Yuuko's right index finger.
Gandr is a simple curse that originates in Scandinavia. The user delivered the curse by pointing an index finger at the target and damaging his constitution, which decreases the physical health of the target. Because the curse properly said is released from the user's index finger and the target must be within the field of vision to be aimed at, it is also called Gandr Shot.
"Hideyoshi, I'm really troubled here, you know? Won't you listen to me?—"
...Then, I'll try my best to help you there, Miss Kinoshita.
"I'M FEELING TROUBLED HERE TOO!?"
She realized something more as she thinks about what she had asked to Akihisa that afternoon, to which she stopped wrestling her younger twin brother.
"That still hurts, d-dear sister... What happened?"
Hideyoshi then noticed his sister's actions changed.
"It doesn't matter if I will do that, Hideyoshi... But... I want to prove it myself that I can do anything!"
Yuuko then sits down to the sofa once again. But this time, she gloomily looked at the two ice doves.
"With that kind of thought... I think there will be more trouble to happen..."
Because of Yuuko's actions, he only sighed... "But really... What made you to not refuse Miss Takahashi's request?"
Yuuko then goes to lying down into the sofa, feeling depressed, "I-I can't tell..."
Hideyoshi just sighed about the sudden actions of his sister. Eventually...
"Anyway... Dear sister, do you want to join us tomorrow in the study session in Kirishima's house for our examinations next week?"
"Well... Miss Himeji and Miss Shimada had told me the same thing back in our school. But... I decided not to."
"But... We really need your assistance there... Besides, Kirishima will be expected to cling on Yuuji, while Kudou will be doing something perverted to make Muttsulini. Himeji and Shimada will be focusing on Akihisa as usual."
Hideyoshi had already predicted the situation in the study session tomorrow. After all, Hideyoshi is a close friend of Akihisa, Yuuji and Kouta Tsuchiya, who is also known for the nickname "Muttsulini", a parody of a certain Italian politician, Benito Mussolini.
"I see... I guess I'll try..." said Yuuko then followed by a trail of thoughts,
After all, Yoshii might really prefer to go to Prez' house than me... If there would be other way like that, I should have to do it... But...
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
17 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Ma Fille Cafe; 7:45 PM - 7:55 PM
"Dearest big sister!"
"Miharu, stop this!"
"No way I'll stop! I want to make sure that my dearest big sister will fall on me and only me!"
On one of the cabin tables near the windows are Minami and Mizuki eating some crepes in the cafe in front of a certain station, as well as a certain orange-haired female Fumizuki student Miharu Shimizu insisting Minami to her offered crepes. With that, Mizuki only responds to a weak smile.
"Then, please allow me to lead you to your table."
"I hope a certain waiter will join us here as well," said Mizuki who was rather curious as she observed Akihisa who currently brought the customers to a certain cabin table and served up the menu and ice water.
"I see.."
Minami nodded in agreement and then asked Miharu about something...
"By the way, Miharu. When did Aki had return to this part-time job? He haven't told us about this!"
Miharu then looked away from Minami as she heard the name Aki and said in a serious tone:
"Oh, that pig-head?"
Because of a certain event more than a month ago involving Akihisa, Minami and Miharu herself, despite her initial hate towards Akihisa, she may have appreciate his reason for his and Minami's closeness for one another. But still, she still didn't like Akihisa or any guy in general, as she preferred liking girls more than guys. One can definitely call her a lesbian because of this.
She continued as she looked at her cup of softdrink:
"Speaking of that pig-head, he had been given another chance by Papa to work here in this cafe for three hours from six o'clock to nine o'clock in this evening. It was rather a surprising decision that Papa did this. I do not know the reason myself though so do not rely me with such information here. This is also similar with someone else here."
"..."
"..."
After that certain incident during the second year's training camp in Tokyo for unknown reason, the school, or rather, the headmaster, had ordered all of the second year male students to be given one-week suspension, including Hideyoshi as well. Because of that, Akihisa and his male close friends had decided to work to a certain cafe here for their part-time work. Ma Fille is a place that many students from Fumizuki High School often patronize.
On that time, normally, a cafe won't hire people who's studying in the short-term, and it's even weirder for the cafe to invite inexperienced people as well. Of course, because of that, trouble ensued with each one of them, including Mizuki, Minami, Yuuko and Shouko as well.
"Besides... Because of this, I have a lot of chance to be with my dearest big sister here if that pig-head brought you here!"
"Miharu! Stop it! Wait, Miharu!"
Miharu then forcefully hugs Minami as she said those words, with Mizuki only smiling weakly once again as she said in a weak voice:
"It is quite endearing to see Minami and Miss Shimizu like what are you doing, unlike me..."
"Eh? Mizuki?"
Despite being hugged by Miharu, Minami immediately noticed Mizuki's expression.
"Ah, that's not what I mean, Minami. What I mean is that you have such a good friend here."
Mizuki bowed down as she said this, which made Minami to reach out her hands towards Mizuki.
"Why such a thing bothered you then? You are my best friend here."
Minami smiled genuinely towards Mizuki saying those here.
"Really, Minami?"
"Hey, dearest big sister! I thought I am your best friend here in this school!"
"Eh? B-But...!"
Then the conversation between the three of them continued... as the shopkeeper eventually approached them for some reason.
17 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Ma Fille Cafe; 7:55 PM - 8:00 PM
Akihisa, on the other hand, takes the order form and prepares to take the orders from the customers.
"May I know what you have decided?"
"Yes, we would like to have an ice coffee and ice milk tea."
"I'm really sorry, but we ran out of milk. We can prepare iced red tea immediately though. May I?"
"Ah, I see~ then I'll have iced red tea then."
"I'm really sorry. Let me confirm your order. One iced coffee and one iced red tea. Please wait, the drinks will be served soon."
After bowing to the customers, Akihisa returned to the bar as he thought of something.
To think that Miss Kinoshita had eventually asked me about something I don't even know until now. I guess it might be important... It was even timed with the study session tomorrow. I guess I should already have the answer here.
On his thoughts, it had been since he heard the term Magecraft from someone else. He may have been worried about his studies, but the fact that Yuuko had that knowledge about Magecraft made him curious about anything else.
"Oi, Yoshii! You are quite thoughtful here! That is quite strange..."
"Huh? No, I am not, Hiraga. I'm thinking about the orders here. Here."
Akihisa then gives the order to Genji Hiraga, who is a certain blue-haired male student of Fumizuki High School. He is in fact the class representative of Class 2-D.
"Oh? One iced coffee and one iced red tea... Okay, coming up!"
Genji then goes to the backroom to prepare for the drinks, as Akihisa will be waiting for him.
I guess...
"Here it is, Yoshii!"
After some time, Genji showed up now with a tray of iced red tea and iced coffee within it.
"That was fast, Hiraga."
"Just like what I said, you are just rather thoughtful here."
"Haha! Oh really? I am sorry about that," said Akihisa as he received the order from Genji then.
Then the conversation and the work continued until nine o'clock in the evening.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
17 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Streets near Himeji Residence; 9:10 PM - 9:20 PM
"I guess this is where we part ways, Akihisa."
"Yeah. By the way, are you sure that we should leave Minami back in the cafe?"
"Do not worry, Akihisa. She said that she can take care of Miss Shimizu and her family back there."
"Oh, I see... I can still imagine what that Shimizu will be doing to Minami."
On this time, Akihisahad been with Mizuki for a walk as they headed towards Himeji residence with the latter drinking an ice cold chocolate drink that Akihisa personally bought for her in his part-time job.
After Akihisa leaned his head upwards, he then looked at Mizuki as he tried to do something...
"Ah... Mi... Mizu..."
"Eh?"
"Mizu... Mizu... Miss Himeji!"
He still failed on calling her first name as he got flustered about it. Rather, he called her in her family name as usual. With that she immediately gave him on a genuine laugh.
"Haha! You are still trying to do that?"
"Well... you had told me that I should have called you with your first name, just like Sakamoto, Kinoshita and Minami. Also, I did call you with your first name before since we were in the same elementary school before."
"You had also told me that you should call me whatever you decided to call on me, Akihisa."
"Oh, I remember... It was after that Test of Courage event before."
As he remembered those events within it, he gets even more flustered thinking about it as he eventually gently puts his right hand on his right cheek for some reason. [4]
That kiss before... he thought. With that, he immediately puts down his right hand and asked...
"Ah... Have you already prepared for the summer vacation with our friends?"
"Yeah. I have only been waiting for that vacation. I could have some more time with you and the others."
Akihisa nodded and said, "I agree with you—"
VVVVRRRROOOOMMMM! VVVVVRRRRROOOOMMMMM!
"STEP AWAY!"
"!"
"Eh?!"
With that, a certain blue-haired guy was running very fast and heading towards them... Or rather...
"I NEED TO CATCH UP THAT CAR!"
"What car?!"
"JUST STEP AWAY!"
That person had continuously shouted to them for some reason. Akihisa and Mizuki then forcefully stepped away from one another with Mizuki falling onto the ground and her drink spilled on her right side.
As Akihisa immediately stepped away on that time, he then saw a black car running wildly for some reason.
"That's the car!"
"THANK YOU, YOSHII!"
The blue-haired guy immediately looked at Akihisa as he eventually passed by between the two.
Hiraga...
He thought as he looked at that person who runs away chasing the car. Eventually, Akihisa felt even more as he immediately saw Genji now wielding two rapier-like blades that are longer than a meter with a short hilt on his right hand.
"What are you—?"
"DON'T FOLLOW ME NOW!"
As Genji said that, he immediately turned at a certain intersection where that certain black car also turned left. In short, Genji was gone before Akihisa even asked his question.
What happened, Hiraga? Why are you chasing that car?
"What had happened, Akihisa?"
Akihisa then looked at Mizuki who was still sitting on the ground.
"I do not know, Miss Himeji. I was even wondering what had really happened as well."
Akihisa then helped Mizuki to stand up after that.
"Too bad, the chocolate drink..."
"That's alright, Miss Himeji. It is better than that person hurt you if you don't follow his words."
Mizuki then get flustered with his words and said:
"Thank you, Akihisa..."
Mizuki had finally give Akihisa her warm smile and he returned it with a smile, as Akihisa is now about to part ways with Mizuki.
"I'm sorry. I forgot what we were talking before, Akihisa."
"Me too. That person was clearly on the rush..."
"I know... Well, see you tomorrow at Shouko's house then."
"Yeah..." said Akihisa.
Maybe... thought Akihisa.
Mizuki then finally part ways with Akihisa.
As Akihisa watched Mizuki leaving him on that night, he only feel sorry to himself as he only thought and looking at some large bridge being sighted from where he is...
After a certain unexpected event in the future, I may have left Miss Himeji and the others behind then to follow what I really wanted [5]... But for now...
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Second Chapter Part I
18 August 2012; Hyougo Prefecture; Nishi Ward, Kobe City; Fuyuki Bridge; 8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
On the next day, on that same large bridge...
Yuuko eventually arrived at the setting. Then she checked her phone as she walked along a street near the meeting place — on this certain large bridge called Fuyuki Bridge.
There was more than five minutes left before the agreed time of 9:00AM. As Yuuko, who now puts her hair into a ponytail, was about to turn off her phone, her eyes paused casually at the date as seen on the screen of said phone.
"Saturday… 18 August 2012, Eh…?"
She might think of something, when she looked at the surroundings for a while and after some minutes had passed, Akihisa is still nowhere to be found yet…
"There is a possibility that Yoshii might not come here, since he might have join the study group on Prez's house…"
Yuuko bowed down, showing her sad expression as she placed her arms on the handle near her.
"But what makes me to go to feel this way anyway? I guess I should just have to go there too… to—"
She unconsciously whispered, and to her question—.
"Help me in my studies in Miss Kirishima's house?"
Came an answer from beside her, its unexpectedness caused Yuuko to jump.
"W-Waa!?"
She hurriedly looked for the source of that voice and noticing a boy's face, blinking in surprise.
Yuuko took deep breaths to dissolve the sweet ache of long wait from deep within her heart; she opened her lips and said.
"Akihisa Yoshii… I was surprised because you appeared so suddenly, did you really want to do this, even if it might affect your studies?"
After hearing this, the boy - Akihisa Yoshii revealed a bitter smile.
"Well, it is not suddenly… But, is this not the agreed time and place?"
"Eh..."
After being asked, Yuuko looked around again.
She had immediately realized that she had told him that this bridge will be their meeting place for some reason... An important reason for herself ever since five years ago.
Yuuko gave a shy smile and shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess I was running on a ninety-percent thought that you will not come here. Umm... Anyway... Good day, Yoshii."
Akihisa then gave him a smirk and waved his right hand up as he greeted Yuuko.
"That's dangerous... By the way, hello there, Miss Kinoshita."
Ending Theme:
Hajimari no Sokudo by March of Phantasia (Kiznaiver Ending Theme Song)
TO BE CONTINUED on Second Chapter Part II (18 August 2012)
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
REFERENCES
[1] Baka to Tesuto to Syokanjuu Light Novel Volume 4
[2] Baka to Tesuto to Syokanjuu Light Novel Volume 5 and 6.5
[3] Baka to Tesuto to Syokanjuu Light Novel Volume 2
[4] Baka to Tesuto to Syokanjuu Light Novel Volume 6
[5] Baka to Tesuto to Syokanjuu Light Novel Volume 8-12.5