Episode 13: Melfelse: Komori
While Alsius' group was at the junk yard meeting Liberta, Han's group had also just learned about the Tenebrae and was heading to a special training facility. Apparently where Han, Alsius and Narukami had first practiced soccer.
When entering the building, a long hall stretched across with many entrances to rooms along it. Each door led to a flight of stairs downwards and next to the door was a large window showing the inside of the room. The rooms were very similar to the Black Room back in the Soccer Garden.
"Well, of course it is, the Black Room is an older version of these machines." Han said while pressing buttons on a panel near the beginning of the wall. A holographic map of the training facility lit up in front of him. Han studied the screen, "Looks like one of the rooms are in use… want to check it out?"
Everyone agreed and followed Han, until they reached the window of the room used. Peering down, they saw a young girl practicing her shooting in a snowy plains. There seemed to be a harsh blizzard plowing making it difficult to see and probably was extremely cold. On top of that, large snowballs rolled at her from all directions.
She successfully dodged all of them and kicked the ball into a net which was hidden beyond the snowy storm.
"Complete!" the words appeared overhead the girl letting out of the virtually created landscape. She looked up and noticed the team watching causing her to squeak in surprise. She then saw Han and relaxed slightly, waving at him.
"Do you know her?" Konoha asked.
Han waved back smiling, "Yup…"
The girl grabbed her stuffed dragon, ran out of the room and tackled Han.
"Oof!"
She buried her face into his shirt, not letting go, "Han-niichan! You're finally back!" she giggled.
"Why were you practicing soccer?" Han groaned painfully.
"That's…" the girl started, but stopped when she became conscious of everyone else's stares. She hid behind Han.
"Komori…" Han sighed.
Konoha asked, "What's the matter?"
"Maybe Kusaka-kun and Tsurugi-kun scared her."
Aoi laughed, "Don't say things like that, Mizukawa-san…"
"You're not denying that we look scary…" Kusaka sighed.
Tsurugi kept his poker face, but was actually quite hurt by Mizukawa's comment.
"A-are you members of Earth Eleven?" Komori asked from behind Han. She seemed afraid of everyone.
Tenma kneeled down by her, "Yes, I'm the captain, Matsukaze Tenma. You are…"
"Eep!" she whimpered burying her face in Han's jersey again. She pulled him down and whispered into his ear.
Han shook his head, "Say it yourself, Komori. Don't worry, they're all nice people."
The girl looked unsure, but did what her friend told her to, "I-I'm Komori, just Komori and my Po-position is f-forward! I-I'll be joining your team soon, so nice to meet you, members of Earth Eleven!"
This little girl was going to be part of their team!?
"How old are you?" Tenma asked.
"T-ten!"
"Ten? Is that allowed?" Kusaka gasped.
"As long as they are under 15, they're leagally able to participate in the FFI Vision 2," Mizukawa informed, "Though I don't think there really are those limitation when the opponents are all from different galaxies…"
"Well, you should expect every planet to have species other than humans. They probably all have differing life spans, so those kinds of rules are impossible to make." Han laughed.
"I-I'm sorry…" Komori apologized still hidden behind the second keeper.
Tsurugi was examining the panel next to the door of the room Komori had just trained in, "How are these different from the Black Room?" he asked.
In response, Han pushed Tsurugi inside, shutting him in. Han ordered Komori to start a program which she did without hesitation.
Tsurugi found himself in a misty forest. Up, down, behind and ahead; the mist prevented him from seeing farther than two feet.
"Hey, hey Kyousuke!" Han's voice resonated in the forest. A screen appeared in front of Tsurugi for the window wasn't visible to him at the moment. Han was seen on it with Tenma peering over his shoulder.
"Tsurugi! Can you hear me?" Tenma asked waving.
"Anyways," Han pushed Tenma aside and started explaining the program Tsurugi was in, "Multiple hand-sized spiders will endlessly attack you."
"Huh?"
"The only way to stop them is the land a powerful shoot at their boss, which is hidden somewhere in the forest."
Tsurugi frowned, "so, I need to find the boss' location. How am I supposed to do that in this fog?"
"It wouldn't be training if I did tell you…" Han sighed. He pressed the button to start the program.
Instantly small spiders started swarming from out of the fog. Multiple soccer balls appeared by Tsurugi for him to kick. Tsurugi started to kick them at the spiders to keep them from nearing him.
Han and the others watched as Tsurugi was training.
Han sighed, disappointed. "Aww… it was more fun watching Haku-nee do this… I was hoping Tsurugi had arachnophobia like her."
Komori giggled, "That's was so mean…"
"You guys are evil…"
"Hey, Tenma... you like to practice too? There's this program with snakes..."
"NO! I-I'm alright!"
An hour passed when finally the boss spider fell over disappearing into multiple polygram pieces. Tsurugi fell on one of his knees, huffing heavily.
Han opened the door of the training room, letting Tsurugi out, "Well, I guess you've figured out the difference, Kyousuke."
"Komori, do you always practice with this?" Tsurugi asked.
Komori furiously nodded her head, not letting go of Han's jersey the whole time.
"Mm… I hope she gets used to us soon." Aoi sighed.
Tenma handed his teammate a bottle of water, "Here you go, Tsurugi!"
Tsurugi gladly took the water and started drinking it.
"We could bring everyone back here later." Han smiled, "But it's almost 3 hours so we should head back to the train."
"Me…to?" Komori asked.
Tenma nodded his head and held out his hand for her. Komori declined the offer and left Tenma hanging. She held one hand on Han's jersey and with the other hand hugged her stuffed dragon.
With this, the group started making their way back to the Galaxy Notes. After waiting a while there, the other group came. With them was a blond and black haired tanned boy.