Phantasy Star Portable – Kotone
Chapter 2
Kotone rubbed her left arm nervously, fiddling with her saber. She had been dumped here by a grumpy-looking Laia, who had given her no explanation as to what the hell she was doing in an empty training room. Luckily for her, Kotone had managed to snag breakfast, a bit of toast and juice. The sound of someone gently knocking had her looking at the door, which opened to reveal a pretty-looking, white-haired man of a few years older than her. He gave her a friendly smile, which she returned half-heartedly.
"Oh, now don't look like someone dropped you off for execution," The man told her warmly. Despite herself, she smiled shyly back at him. "I'm going to guess Laia tried to drag you hear without breakfast?" Kotone nodded, blushing. "Well then, let's get you fed." Kotone got up, double-checking her weapons and following after him. He sat her down at a table. "Now, my name is Hyuga Ryght, and I'll be your teacher." Kotone's eyes snapped up to his own in mild alarm. "I don't bite," Hyuga said dryly, receiving a tiny smile in return. "Introduce yourself, properly. As amusing as your initial introduction was, I need to know a little bit more than that, as I'll be your only teacher, and you my only student." The waitress stopped by, giving Hyuga a flirty smile, and Kotone a small scowl.
"What can I get you?" She asked politely, keeping her back turned away from the Newman. Hyuga grasped Kotone's hand.
"Do pancakes sound alright to you?" Hyuga asked her softly. Kotone nodded, keeping her head down so he couldn't see her scowl. She had hoped that this place would be better than Parum, but it looked like wishful thinking. "Well then, my student and I will be having pancakes." Hyuga grabbed the CAST's arm as she made to leave. "And if you dare offend or upset my student again, I will make your life very difficult from now on, is that understood?" Kotone tried not to smile. Hyuga moved his chair around to settle next to her. "Hey," He murmured softly. "Don't worry about her, she's just an idiot. Why they let CAST Supremacists work in a mostly human restaurant is beyond me," Hyuga muttered sourly. "As my student, I won't let anyone hurt you in any way that would be detrimental to your health, alright?" Kotone nodded, quietly. "Now, how about that introduction?" Hyuga grinned at the alarmed look on her face. "I said I didn't bite." He reminded her. Kotone sniffed and nodded, skeptical.
"My name's Kotone, I'm disowned, so no family name." She started, softly. Hyuga squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I like to cook and collect weapons; I don't really much like people, especially stalkers." She shivered faintly. "My hobbies . . . Um. Well, I usually end up practicing my weapons skills or sketching pictures, and sometimes I read history books," She admitted with a nervous smile. Hyuga smiled encouragingly. "Uh . . . I don't really have much in the way of dreams, aside from making it into the GUARDIANS, and being the first whip specialist to win the annual weapons competition on Neudaiz." Kotone said sheepishly. Hyuga barely spared the waitress a glance as she returned with two plates of steaming pancakes, only bothering to check them for any surprises before handing her a fork.
"Well then, eat up Miss Kotone!" He chirped brightly, taking a bite of his own food. She complied, digging into the meal enthusiastically. "Unfortunately, I'm a sword fighter, so you'll have to learn how to use one. I won't be much help to you for whips and the like." Kotone nodded and swallowed her mouthful, taking a swig of the orange juice that came with breakfast.
"I can use a sword," She told him. "Not as well as a whip or a dual saber, mind you, but I can use one." Kotone took another bite. "My brother works for the Communion, so he used to practice all the time in the mornings before going to work." Kotone smiled sheepishly at him. "He adopted me, but he's not old enough for me to call him dad." Hyuga nodded, interested. He swallowed his bite of food, and waved his hand a bit. "Huh?" She stared at him blankly.
"How much do you know?" Hyuga clarified, after finishing his bit of pancake.
"Oh!" Kotone flushed a bit. "Well, I know most of the basic stances. I had to leave after that for school," Kotone answered, mopping up some syrup with a small wedge of pancake. "I could probably show you later," She offered helpfully. Hyuga smiled at her again. If she was like this all the time, he wouldn't have a problem with her as student. She finished up the last bit on her plate. "Are you done?" She asked him, pointing at his half-finished plate. Hyuga nodded. "Can I have it?" She blushed again, with good reason. Those pancakes weren't small by any means.
"Sure." He pushed his plate to her side. Damn, that girl could eat. Kotone proceeded to continue eating his plate. "Now, you already know my name, but not much else." Hyuga explained himself to her, a bit pleased to actually introduce himself to someone. Most of the time, people already knew his reputation. "And . . . Well . . ." Hyuga laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. A dry laugh made them both look up. Ethan walked over, tilting his hand in a jaunty wave.
"He's neglected to inform you that he's a flirt." Ethan slid into the only free seat next to them. "Ethan Waber." Kotone politely shook his hand.
"Kotone." She turned her questioning gaze on him. Hyuga grinned shamelessly.
"Guilty as charged." He admitted. "But it's better than Laia's Drill Sergeant Nasty attitude." He took in his pupil's dubious expression. "I do have my restrictions. Family of this idiot is one of them." Ignoring Ethan's indignant squawk, he smiled at her again. "But since you are my student, I will refrain from such unprofessional behavior during work." Kotone nodded seriously.
"That's good." Kotone agreed, finishing up the rest of her pancakes. "So what do we do first, Mr. Ryght?" Kotone asked politely. Ethan burst into uncontrolled giggles while Hyuga glared at him. Kotone's lips twitched.
"She – hic – makes you sound respectable!" Ethan giggled, burying his face in his arms. Hyuga proceeded to knock him out of his chair, using his foot to sweep the legs of the seat back. "Hey!"
"Hyuga." His voice was firm. "Or at least, Mr. Hyuga, if you have problems with the first one." He added at her embarrassed-looking expression. "Though why the first one is a problem, I'm not quite sure." Kotone blushed harder.
"Calling a person by their first name at home traditionally meant that you were – Um." Her cheeks deepened. "Sexually active with them." Hyuga flushed, and even Ethan blushed, sliding an amused look at Hyuga.
"Well . . ." Hyuga trailed off, knocking a still giggly Ethan back on the floor when he attempted to sit back on his chair.
"Knock it off, asshole!" Hyuga offered her his hand, ignoring Ethan's outraged exclamation, placing the bill and change on the table. Kotone took it, nervously, as he led her out of the restaurant.
"Let's start with what you'll need for my class, hmm Miss Kotone?"
So, here's chapter 2. Tell me if you like it!