24 February 2010

Minatodai Dorm, 1st Floor Lounge

After School

Kicking off her outdoor shoes, Midori scratched the side of her head as she tried to figure out what she was going to do until the next year started. There was also the issue of her impending birthday, and while she would normally be looking forward to her 16th birthday, there was just something about it that didn't appeal to her. It was like she was crossing some invisible threshold into something larger, something far scarier than anything she had ever dealt with before.

For someone who had faced down Demon Kings and the end of the world (twice!), it disturbed her to think there was something she wasn't prepared for.

Not to mention the impending graduation of Mitsuru and Akihiko. And with that, the test to see who still remembered the Dark Hour past her and Aigis.

But all seriousness in her thought crashed to a halt when she saw Minato and Yukari napping on one of the couches. What brought a barely contained squeal of joy to her was that they were leaning ever so gently on each other. It was just so... lovely that she had to flee lest she do something that would ruin the moment. So instead of doing whatever it was she was planning on, she quietly but quickly ran past them and up the stairs to the safety of the third floor and her room.

And once she was away from them, then maybe she could release some of the happiness she felt.

26 February 2010

Minatodai Dorm, 3rd Floor, Aigis' Room

Evening

Friday had come again, and Midori found herself in the mist of Aigis' science. "I wish I had access to an MRI," the robot girl complained as she set up what devices she had. "It would help immensely."

"Um? Aigis?" Midori had thought about what she was going to say now between her other commitments over the past week or so. It had started as a germ of a doubt, but had grown when she had free time to think about her actions and her choices.

"Yes?" Aigis didn't stop what she was doing, secure in her ability to multitask.

Realizing that she had already committed to upsetting Aigis in some fashion, Midori forged ahead anyways. "I know you want to help me with this," she gestured at the electrodes and other measuring devices, "but I think this isn't the best way to go about it." She paused when she saw Aigis was standing inhumanly still, a sure sign that she had missteped. "I want for you to help, but I think you're taking things too far..."

"Out."

Midori had no idea that Aigis would have responded that badly to her attempts to regain control of her situation. "Aigis...?"

"Out."

Recognizing her folly as well as now doubting its necessity, Midori gathered up her things, made herself presentable and left.

She had her reasons, she tried to justify to herself. She had to stop Aigis from falling into a bad routine. The robot still hadn't tried to expand her social circle; she was too dependent on Minato and herself to lead her and it had to stop. It hurt her to even try, and it obviously hurt Aigis to force her out of her comfort zone, but she did love Aigis, and it would be better for her this way.

Midori resolved to make her own recordings of her experiments with Frosty to act as a peace offering when the time was right.

28 February 2010

Minatodai Dorm

Evening

Midori stormed out of the dorm, barely slowing to rip her jacket off its hanger before slamming the door behind her. From her seat, Mitsuru looked up with some trepidation. She saw Koromaru covering his ears at the noise and offered him a gentle rub to let him know everything was going to be alright. The Dorm's adopted pet appreciated the gesture and licked her hand in response. Mitsuru knew that Komaki had received a phone call from her father on the line to her room as was the usual between the two family members for a Sunday.

But Midori's reaction was out of character. It was quite unlike her to be so obviously upset. But she was still the head of the Dorm, and anything that bothered those under her care bothered her too. Giving the dog one last pat she gathered her own jacket and went in pursuit of their runaway.

Naganaki Shrine

She sat there, atop the slide. It was, all told, her favourite place. Raising her eyes to the stars that began to poke into the evening sky, she thanked them all for watching over her friends and herself. It seemed like a safe bet, given all she knew about the gods, to ask for help from something so far and distant. The stars would never turn on humanity.

The crunch of feet on the gravel heralded the arrival of someone and she looked to see who it was, half expecting Minato or Akihiko. Maybe even Chidori or Aigis.

She didn't expect Mitsuru to be standing there, arms crossed against the chill of the growing dark. "Hello, senpai" she said quietly, hoping to not disturb the peace of the world around them.

"What's wrong, Komaki-san?" The red haired woman asked as casually as she could. Which is to say, not at all.

"Nothing." Midori didn't want to talk about it. At least not right now. There would be time for that later. But not much, she knew.

"Your tears say otherwise."

"I'm crying?" Midori wiped at her face, and found her hands streaked with clear tears. "Oh! Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"If something is disturbing one of my dorm-mates, it is my responsibility to look after them." Mitsuru said patiently. "I know for a starter that you and Aigis have having troubles."

"Eh!" Midori's train of thoughts regarding her circumstances were completely derailed. "No! It's not about that! Aigis and I are on the outs because she's been depending on me too much!"

Surprised that her misdirection worked so well, Mitsuru found herself latching onto the factoid that Midori had spilled without apparently meaning too. "There is nothing wrong with supporting your fellows." A sudden chill washed over her. She knew that there were some things about Aigis that were not supposed to be public knowledge, and Aigis had sworn up and down that no one without clearance knew her secrets. The possibility that Midori knew was unsettling. But then again, if there was a problem, Midori wasn't the best person to hide things, and Aigis would report it.

So she had to assume that Aigis' secrets were still safe. Which still left her unknowing of the real reason why Midori was in her current state. "When we can depend on the people around us, then we are all better for it."

"It's more than that. She won't reach out past herself. I had to pretty much force her into getting onto the Tennis team, and our study sessions have been going downhill..." She sighed, dancing around the real issue awkwardly. "It's nothing you can do."

Offended that someone would suggest that something was out of her power, Mitsuru glared. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"My dad's been transferred. He calls it a promotion, but it's not really one. He's gone from the Featherman R franchise now that they're revamping into Neo Featherman and he's now going to be working for some department store called July or some English word. I'm moving at the end of March."

"Junes." Mitsuru corrected, recalling some snippets of information about the franchise. She would have to do some research shortly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Where are you going?" Then what Midori said hit her. She was being forced to move. That meant paperwork, and a lot of work had just been wasted. With an internal sigh, she resolved to begin the necessary work tomorrow, as well as notifying the former Tennis President that she would need to choose a new successor, or stay on for another year.

"Some hick town in the middle of nowhere. Inabra, or something like that. I looked it up on the census. It's a farming community and my dad is supposed to be working there to make it work out in the entire prefecture on the advertising side of things." She kicked the slide in anger, ankles banging against tin. "And I have to go with him so he can 'present a fatherly image' or some bullshit like that. I have to move away from my friends." Her voice dripped with uncharacteristic venom.

"You should be proud. Your father is moving up in the world." Trying to defuse Midori was an exercise in patience Mitsuru had learned.

"BUT I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!" Midori yelled again at the sky. "I don't want to leave my friends behind – AGAIN – all for the sake of my father's job! I want to be me!"

"You can't always get what you want, Komaki-chan." She felt a bit guilty using the more intimate honorific, but for some reason, it felt right in coming off her tongue. "If we could, my father would still be here."

Midori curled up, bringing her knees to her face. "I know. I shouldn't take it out on you. But it's so hard. I finally get settled in, make new friends, and then I have to move again! This'll be my third High School!"

"You're right. I don't know how to help. I can only say that you must be strong. Do not abandon your friends for this sake. You'll still have phones. You can call them. Call me if you have to, though I don't know when I'll be available."

"Thank you Mitsuru-san. But I'd like to be alone for now." She pulled out Frosty and held him tight, the one friend that could never leave her, nor she him.

That was one request that Mitsuru had no intention of honouring. It would be wrong to abandon any one to their misery, especially a friend who had stood by her and suffered for her sake. Why did I think that? her thoughts confused her as they waited together in silence.

05 March 2010

Minatodai Dorm, 2nd Floor, Minato's Room

Early Morning

Aigis knocked on Minato's door, expecting no answer. But he did, and she noted with some trepidation that he looked so very tired. "Can I come in?" She looked back at Midori, who only gave her a sign of encouragement which she refused to respond to.

Stepping inside, she looked into his dull eyes, and saw that he did remember. "Thank goodness." she said, letting out a breath she didn't know she had taken in. "You remember. So do I. And Midori-san."

Minato nodded. "Graduation. I'm not surprised you remember. But Midori?"

She smiled. "She's weird, remember?"

"Aren't we all?" Minato yawned. "I'm not going anywhere. I promised, and I keep my promises."

"Yes. Yes you do." She looked at the clock. "But it seems you slept in. We must hurry or else we will miss the ceremony."

The two of them joined Midori and went down to the first floor where they collected Koromaru's leash. Chidori wasn't in, and they briefly discussed finding her before heading down to the school before deciding against in. Everyone in their due time.

Gekkokan High, Rooftop

Morning

Midori stood watch over by the doorway, Koromaru safely leashed to prevent him from exploring over the edge. Behind her, Aigis and Minato sat on one of the benches, enjoying the beautiful spring morning. She knew they were talking, or rather, Aigis was talking and he was listening.

They had skipped the Graduation Ceremony itself. By the time they arrived, it was already well underway, and they didn't want to spoil it by being a distraction. Instead they waited for the others to arrive, and they were content to wait for however long it took.

Steps, and Midori looked below her, seeing a familiar crowd ascending towards her. She cheered and waved, cajoling them for taking so long.

The golden blue butterfly flitted past her field of view, and she turned to join her friends. There was nothing left for them to do but enjoy these brand new days.