Phantasy Star Portable – Kotone
Chapter 17
This is the final countdown! The last chapter of my story, and I'm so glad to all of you who read this story!
Hyuga yawned tiredly, ruffling his hair. It was his week off since Kotone would be running missions with her other teachers, and he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. He'd already planned out all of his lessons up to the next three months, and flirting was becoming less and less appealing as time went on now that the chase was no longer so difficult. Hyuga groaned, bashing his head against the table.
"Hyuga!" Leo greeted the tired-looking teenager happily. "What's wrong?" Leo asked worriedly, seeing the frustrated expression on Hyuga's face. It usually spelled trouble, or a bored Hyuga, which was even worse.
"I don't know what to do with myself," Hyuga complained, running a hand through his lengthy hair, the white strands standing out against the light tan of his skin. Leo chuckled.
"What happened to flirting?" Leo pointed out slyly. Hyuga grimaced, shaking his head.
"Lost its appeal." Hyuga grumbled. "And before you ask, I've got my lessons planned out to the next three months as well as run a complete weapons check on all of my equipment." Leo whistled. He knew Hyuga was a workaholic, but damn, he'd never known how much! "Seriously, what do I do with myself?" Hyuga lamented to himself. If this was what teaching full-time was like, he'd remain on the Mobile Defense Force, thank you very much, and screw the lower pay. Leo's lips curved up.
"Talk to family or something?" He offered. "Do a mission? Write a memoir?" Hyuga snorted inelegantly, lips twitching.
"Thanks for the laugh Leo," Hyuga coughed amusedly. "I'll see if my father wants to chat for a bit," Hyuga decided, standing up and ignoring the many women who were observing him with mild to extreme interest. He waved goodbye and wandered off to the PPT gate.
Ian Ryght had learned his son always had an ulterior motive when it came to stopping by 'to chat', as Hyuga usually put it. Which he approved of. No future GRM president could ever afford a purely social call, unless they were really that bored. And by the look on his son's face, he was really that bored. Hyuga smiled at father wanly, allowing Ian to observe the changed demeanor and appearance of his only child. He had finally grown into his mother's looks and grace, Ian decided, stretching a hand out to brush the silky white strands away from his boy's eyes. Hyuga let him do so quietly, leaning into the touch a bit. Ian smiled, and shooed his son in.
"Come on in son," Ian told Hyuga, gently steering him into a large seat. "Tea?" He offered, taking in the tired expression that graced the child's features. Hyuga smiled gently at him, curling up in the seat as he had when he was a small child.
"Yes please," Hyuga murmured, resting his head against the cushions.
Several cups of tea and an hour later found Ian admiring an image of Hyuga's student. She was a delicate thing, with doll-like features. Hyuga's hands cradled his seventh cup, watching his father admire the image affectionately.
"She looks lovely," Ian complimented. "Also, Hyuga, I was hoping you would be coming by." Hyuga looked up as his father leaned forward. Ian sighed to himself. He'd have to cut to the chase.
"I am a very sick man," Ian said finally to his son, who looked alarmed and concerned. "Since the initial invasion, I have been ill, and I've been getting worse." He took in his son's stunned expression. "I know we had an agreement that you would inherit at twenty, but that option is no longer available." Ian looked down. "I will not force you, but I have very little time left to me." Hyuga's hands reached out, to touch his hand softly.
"How long?" Hyuga asked quietly. Ian sighed. The days were very limited.
"Six months before I become too ill to stay in office and nine before they anticipate my passing." Ian answered his son, watching Hyuga's eyes widen. Hyuga's clever mind was no doubt racing, deciding on the possibility of learning what he needed before then.
"I need to tell my student," Hyuga muttered to himself. "I'd have to transfer her to another teacher, and if done on time, I'd be ready in four months," Hyuga's murmur was soft. Ian felt himself buckle quietly in relief. His son wasn't very fond of the idea of inheriting the large company, having threatened to jump off a cliff in a more memorable moment. "I'd have to resign, and take up the position, and then I'd have about an entire three months free to learn what you could teach me." Hyuga watched his father sadly. "I wish I didn't have to accept because you were sick," Hyuga sighed, his white hair falling over his face. "I'll do my best dad." Ian nodded, feeling a spark of hope.
"That's all I can ask."
Kotone blinked as her phone began ringing. Tonnio also watched amusedly as her ringtone "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" played, signifying Hyuga was calling.
"Mr. Hyuga?" Kotone asked, after flipping her phone open and hearing his strained hello. "Is something wrong?" She paused, eyes going wide in shock. "What!?" She sounded worried. "Should I bring Mr. Tonnio?" Kotone asked seriously. "And Mr. Ethan?" Tonnio blinked, a bit alarmed. "I'll call Miss June if you need me to." Kotone shifted her weight to the other foot. "Alright, I'll bring Mr. Tonnio and Mr. Ethan right away." Kotone hung up the phone, and started scrolling down the list of numbers. "Lumia!" She sounded amused at whatever greeting the little girl gave her. "Can you put Mr. Ethan on the phone? It's important." A silence and Kotone waved him over, the pair walking to the PPT gate. "Mr. Ethan! Mr. Hyuga wants to see us. All of us," She agreed. "I'm not sure, but he sounded upset. No. I don't think so. He mentioned his father." Tonnio's eyebrows jumped up in his surprise. Hyuga never mentioned his father, and Tonnio was under the impression, along with the most of the GUARDIANS that knew him, that Mr. Ryght was dead. Tonnio followed.
This gotta be damn good.
Hyuga watched them file in, twisting his fingers in his shirt. Maya had talked Light Master Rutsu into letting Karen come for the day, which made his job easier, at least a little bit. Karen was appreciatively eyeing him, but he conveniently ignored it. His heart was breaking, knowing that someone in this room would likely not forgive him.
"I want to apologize," Hyuga said finally, drawing their attention to the fidgeting teenager in confusion. "Mostly to you Miss Kotone, but to the rest of you as well. I should have told all of you sooner who my parents are." Ethan and the others watched him intently. "I was born Hyuga Aaron Ryght in March 15, 2999, to my father Ian Ryght and my mother Eva Ryght." Ethan pieced it together, and stared at his best friend in shock. "My father is more commonly known as Ian of GRM." Silence. He didn't dare look up, fearing the worst. "My father is the current president, but he –" Hyuga choked slightly. "He's fallen fatally ill. I will be unable to continue my position as a GUARDIAN, as I have a responsibility to inherit." The others fidgeted, starting to feel sick.
"The initial agreement was that I inherited the company once I reached twenty, but that option is no longer possible. There is no other family or work associates that could hold as proxy until I turn twenty." Hyuga's hands twisted the fabric of his shirt more. "I–I should have told you sooner." It was completely silent for a moment. "Miss Kotone, I will be incapable of finishing your education, as well as continuing to see you on a regular basis. My apology is mostly to you and you alone. I'm sorry dear." Hyuga fell silent. Kotone watched her teacher as he silently fiddled with his jacket, her feelings mixed. She realized that her teacher was afraid, afraid of what she might say. So Kotone said nothing at all.
Instead she launched herself into his arms and hugged him to within an inch of his life. Hyuga caught the tiny, flying teen in surprise, before tightly hugging her back, burying his head in her shoulder. Ethan watched the scene with a sad smile. It was a shame. He'd miss going on missions with his best friend. Karen didn't say anything, but she forgave him. Leo had guessed, and was unsurprised. Tonnio wanted to slug him in the arm, but waited until Kotone let her teacher go. Tonnio's hand hit his arm hard, and Hyuga winced.
"You made me think you were dying, asshole!" Tonnio was indignant. Maya was confused. And June? Well, June was dryly amused, her expression bored as it always was.
"I heard a rumor about that," June sounded dry. "So it wasn't a big deal." Maya didn't say anything. Hyuga was her friend, but this was crossing the line. She saw how readily everyone forgave him, and Ethan clasped his shoulder.
"I can see why," Ethan was thoughtful. "It's got to be hard, living in your father's shadow." Maya listened to that, and she decided to reserve judgment. After all, it was Hyuga. "Who will Miss Kotone be transferred to?" Ethan asked cheerfully. "Since I'm her boyfriend, I can't teach her full-time." Hyuga sighed.
"She'd transfer to Laia for the remaining time of her training. Or she can apply for her GUARDIANS license. Miss Kotone has nearly fifty missions of various ranks under her belt, most of them B or A-ranked missions, with a few S and C missions here and there. Should you choose to take the exam, remember, you will be expected to know all social protocol, which I don't think you had a problem with." Hyuga hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry." Kotone shook her head, holding him tight. Her fingertips touched his forehead when she pulled away.
"Thank you for teaching me," Kotone whispered. Hyuga held her tighter.
"Always."
Kotone applied for early graduation and passed at the top of her year. Hyuga took his father's position nearly a month after, sending the GUARDIANS in frenzy. Most notably, many women began to harass the young president into marriage. Hyuga declined every offer.
Kotone watched Laia congratulate her former student Ian with an amused smirk. She wanted to mess with poor Ian, her little seat. So she waved, and called out, "Hey, Benchwarmer!" Ian jerked around in alarm at the loud noise, and glared at her.
"You passed," He sounded disappointed. Kotone scoffed.
"I passed six months ago, dumbass." But she smiled at him, a touch warmer. "I heard you're quite the Claws user. I'd like to spar with you someday." She nodded at Ian politely. "I need to get going. Have a good day Ian." She left, passing a delicate-looking CAST with a small smile and nod, which the small thing returned.
"I'm home!" Kotone yelled out happily, depositing her bag onto the rack. Arms wrapped around her, teasingly. Ethan kissed her neck, his hands wandering up her tank-top with a smirk. Kotone squealed, batting his hands away with a laugh. "Ethan!" Ethan's grin broadened. It was nice to hear her call her just by his first name. It had taken another four months after Hyuga had resigned to get her to call him by just Ethan. His lips kissed her neck once more.
"How was work?" Ethan purred, carrying her to their bed. Kotone gasped and giggled at him.
"Oh, boring as usual." Kotone said, allowing his hands to wander, now that they were no longer at the front door. "I missed you during work." She added, gasping as Ethan picked her up and settled her on his lap.
"I missed you too." Ethan agreed. "Dinner out?" Ethan offered, feeling her body slump tiredly against his. The feel of her body made the little box in his jacket pocket burn viciously, his nerves mounting. Kotone nodded against his chest tiredly.
Ethan led his girlfriend into the classy restaurant with a grin, feeling the weight of several jealous male eyes on his female companion. Kotone blushed, nesting closer to Ethan. Ethan paid them no mind, instead seating her at the best spot in the entire restaurant. Kotone flushed gently again at Ethan's gentlemanly behavior, teasing a curl of purple hair with two fingers. Dinner passed with the two quietly, each enjoying the company of the other. Her lavender eyes looked up at him as the music played, wistfully wishing to dance with Ethan. Ethan caught her sad expression, and smothered a laugh. Cute. Ethan walked around the table, offering her his hand with a smile. Kotone lit up, taking his hand delightedly. The pair joined the many other couples on the dance floor to slowly sway together, trailing lazy circles around the wooden area. Kotone hummed a few bars of the song "My Heart Will Go On," and after Ethan figured out where she was in the song, he joined her, making her smile at him shyly. It wasn't long before the very same song showed up on the speakers. Ethan led her to the balcony, feeling the box in his pocket burn with every step.
"I love you." Ethan murmured, kissing her lips tenderly. Kotone hummed in agreement, resting her head against his chest. Ethan smiled at her affectionately, though he was mildly disturbed at the cut on her neck. Kotone had received the scar on a mission with him and nearly died some weeks back. It was the first time he had told her that he loved her, and he made up for it every day since. He refused to lose her, and there were a few important things to be taken care of to ensure that. Ethan kneeled on the ground and pulled the box out of his pocket. "Kotone," Ethan tried not to think negative thoughts. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my fiancée?" Kotone was staring at him. Please do not laugh at me, Ethan pleaded to her silently. I can handle any answer but laughter. Kotone slid down to her own knees and closed the box. Setting it to the side, she faced him with a dazzling smile.
"It's about time." Kotone answered, pressing her lips to his own affectionately. "I don't need a ring Ethan. I need you." Ethan picked her up, mindful of the small velvet container and spun her round.
It was a very, very good evening.