A/N: Just because you had the best education doesn't mean you're the best. There are many things in school that you can't learn. You can gloat all you want because you're good in math, science or history, but true education lies outside school, if you're interested, go out and find it, I swear, you'll learn something amazing.
And I'm back with a new chapter! I just love everyone's response from my previous chapter, like everyone else, I want Rin to have an happy ending or have a new life. Like how many speculated, Rin is now part of AWA.
And without further ado, let's get the latest chapter started.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fic.
-EARTH 228-
Harle Kingdom, Streets of Harle
It's another fresh day in the Kingdom as everyone are getting prepared for the festival. Streamers are being hanged from buildings to lampposts, people handing out flyers, food stands being prepared and street performers and vendors are roaming from left to right. Both AWA and Class 3-A decided to join forces in helping preparing for the festival and you can see all of them scattered around the city.
Walking in the streets, we saw Neptune along with Rin, Nepgear and Mato. Neptune being Rin's temporary mother is showing her surrogate daughter around the city much to latter two's bewilderment.
"So... how are you liking the place?" Neptune asked Rin with a bright smile.
Rin nodded with a smile. Rin doesn't have the ability to communicate yet due to the fact that she hasn't spoken for years but she's getting a good treatment from Dr. Shamal, so she'll get to talk with everyone soon. To their surprise though, Rin can still understand them despite her inability to talk, though she sometimes communicated by writing on a toy sketchpad.
"Good! Mommy is thrilled!" Neptune said happily.
Mato then leans towards Nepgear, "Neptune is sure taking this mother role really seriously... it almost creeping me out." she whispered.
Nepgear chuckled nervously, "Onee-chan is sometimes like that. I believe, she got motivated after Magolor told her that they'll be Rin's parents for now." she stated, "I had no problem with that but I'm not to keen in being called an aunt." she added with a sigh.
"Magolor?"
"Oh! It's the Author, he goes by many names!" Nepgear cleared. It's true. The Author is by far, the most mysterious person in AWA, while many calls by the name Author, he would sometimes introduced himself with many names such as Magolor, Sheogorath, Aragon or any medieval era-like names much to everyone's confusion.
"Oh. Anyway while Neptune is busy showing your "niece" around. What should we do right now? You know, helping with the preparation for the festival?" Mato asked.
Nepgear then checks on her tablet, "Hmm... according to our schedule, the three of us should head out in a cafe called Sweet Anne's and serves as maids there." she stated.
"M-m-m-maid!?" Mato repeated in shock and embarrassment.
Nepgear sighed, "I know it's in an embarrassing job but it's what we have been told to do." she said.
"Well... might as well do it. The question is, is Neptune going to do it?" Mato asked looking at Neptune dragging Rin inside a pudding store, "She's pretty much occupied at the moment and she's the type of person who'll need a lot of convincing in order to work." she stated.
Nepgear sighed, "You do have a point." she replied.
The two then follows Neptune and Rin inside the pudding store, the scene then moves right next to another store which is currently in repairs, on the rooftop, we see Eddy, Gingka, Melodias and another boy fixing the rooftop. All boys are wearing a blue overalls over a white shirt and black boots with Eddy wearing a hard hat.
Eddy wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead, "Keep up the good work boys." he said.
Then the other boy with blonde dyed hair with blue eyes walks pass by Gingka carrying a box full of materials, "How's it goin, Youhei? Enjoying work" the beyblader asked.
The boy known as Youhei Sunohara turns to him with a grin, "Sure I am! I'm gonna make sure this store is okay to go in time for the festival!" he claimed with a big thumbs up.
"Uhh... watch your step Youhei." Melodias warned.
"Don't worry guys! I'm an expeeeeerrrrttttt..." Youhei reassured before falling off the rooftop towards the ground with a loud thud.
Eddy, Gingka and Melodias looks down to see Youhei on the laying ground spread-eagle with a dumb smile on his face with the materials he's carrying scattered around the sidewalk.
"Warm up the winch, Melodias." Eddy said as he grabs a rope and made his way down the rooftop.
"Roger." Melodias replied jogging towards a machine.
"You okay down there Youhei?!" Gingka called out.
Youhei then rolls down to his back before staring at the blue sky with a dumb smile, "Hi! Raise your hands..." he said raising his arms, "... and feet!" he added raising his legs up.
Gingka snickered, "Yup! He's fine all right." he said looking away from the edge before going back to work.
Melodias got the machine ready, "It's okay to go Eddy!" he called out.
Later, the still dazed Youhei had a rope tied around his waist, the other end is tied up above the rooftop, attached to a mechanical crank.
Eddy then puts on a hard hat on Youhei's head, "Now put this on! It'll protect your head!" he claimed as he walks away, "And from what, I don't know." he mumbled as the machine began to pulls up Youhei with his arms and legs dangling in mid-air.
Meanwhile, Neptune, Rin, Mato and Nepgear watches the entire process with cups of pudding in their hands. Rin looks at Youhei getting pulled up with worry.
"Don't worry Rin! Youhei is made of steel, so he'll be fine even if he falls down again from that roof." Neptune reassured while taking a taste of her pudding.
"That's not reassuring at all Neptune." Mato said as Nepgear released another sigh.
-BREAK-
Later, we move the scene to cafe called Delaney's, inside we Nathan Seymour wearing a bartender's outfit along with Yui Goido and Ayumi Takehara, both are wearing a black maid outfit with white apron.
"My~ You two looks absolutely good in those outfits." Nathan said in delight with his hands cuffed together.
"Umm... Nathan... I think this outfit is too revealing to me..." Ayumi said touching the hem of her very, short skirt.
"What are you talking about Ayumi? It maybe revealing but that outfit represents the light and hope that maids bring towards this place! I myself would love to wear that but seeing I'm a male with a heart of a woman, I must wear these and you don't see me complaining." Nathan stated with a proud pose.
"She's right Ayumi! The maid outfit looks pretty good on you, besides, I don't think the guys would think of peeping or flipping your skirt because of the shortness of your skirt." Yui reassured.
"That's what I'm worry about!" Ayumi shouted.
Nathan scoffed, "Don't worry. I'll be sure to take care of them if they try." he said when two more girls came out from the dressing room, "Oh my~ You two look fabulous!" he said in delight.
The person he's talking to are Ako Izumi and Akira Okouchi, both are wearing the same maid outfits. Ako and Akira met Nathan, Yui and Ayumi back in the museum and quickly becomes good friends with them, they've been as a group ever since. Despite Ako's fear of men, she's good with Nathan, thanks to his motherly nature and friendly demeanor... and probably, because he's a gay.
"How are you feeling Ako?" Yui asked.
"I-I'm fine... I'm ready for work." Ako replied meekly. Ako volunteered to work as a maid in order to get used in talking to men, Akira volunteered so she can look after Ako.
"Well then... I think it's about time to start business. We got a few minutes left before this cafe opens, so we need to get ready." Nathan instructed.
"You seem excited in helping out this cafe." Akira pointed out.
Nathan smiled, "This cafe reminds me of the gay bar I own back in my world, this place is very nice, so I decided to help this cafe for the festival." he replied.
Akira smiled back, "I see." she said.
Later, the cafe finally opens it's doors and not even an hour, the place is already flooded with customers. Both Yui and Akira are doing well, Ayumi is doing well despite acting quite awkwardly although one guy almost grabbed her ass but it was prevented thanks to Nathan, speaking of Nathan, he's getting along with the customers though he would creep out the males due to his flirting and Ako is doing fine but her shyness pretty much gets the attention of most males making her uncomfortable with their gazes.
Then another person enters the cafe, "Welcome!" Ayumi greeted then she realized who's the person, "Oh! Davis, what are you doing here?" she greeted before asking.
Davis is currently wearing a black jacket with a black hoodie over a white shirt, blue baggy pants and red sneakers.
"Hey Ayumi!" Davis greeted, "You sure look good in that." he commented with a teasing grin, referring to her maid outfit.
"Shut up!" Ayumi snaps at him, "Anyway, what are you doing here? And don't you have work to do!" she pointed out.
Davis shrugged, "My works starts tomorrow so I got the whole day to mess around. Plus, I'm going to meet up with someone here." he replied, then another person enters the cafe, "Speaking of which, she's here." he announced.
The person entering the room was a small girl with pale skin, a long dark unkempt hair that wears down on her shoulders, she had a large jade, green eyes with visible purple, dark shadows beneath them and had her right eye covered. She is wearing a large ascot hat on her head, a white long-sleeve shirt, dark pants and white shoes with a black sling bag around her right shoulder. This is Tomoko Kuroki.
"I-I-I'm h-h-here D-D-Davis..." Tomoko greeted with a stuttering, nervous and creepy voice.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Yui, Ayumi and Nathan internally screamed upon setting sights with Tomoko, whom is well-known freak and loner whom has grim outlook in life, her behavior seems scary and perverted to others, she can be really disrespectful and selfish at times, and often overreacts even with the most simplest things.
As Davis led Tomoko in one table, six hands grabs the Loser's Club leader much to his shock and quickly pulls him in one corner, the arms belongs to Ayumi, Yui and Nathan.
"Guys! What's the big idea!?" Davis demanded.
"What's the big idea? Isn't that Tomoko Kuroki? The rude girl from the back of our class!" Ayumi said jabbing her thumb at Tomoko whom looking around nervously.
"Yeah... what about it?" Davis asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well... it's kinda odd, I mean, she rarely talks with anyone in our class even if someone does, she'll just shun them off. We're just shock that you're meeting her of all people." Yui stated.
Davis sighed, "Look... there's nothing wrong in hanging out with her. Sure, she maybe rude at times but that's because she has the worst social skills ever and I volunteered to help her to get her better with talking people." he explained.
"I see. I'm surprised that you manage to get through her weird behavior." Ayumi said.
Davis shrugged, "It was kinda hard at first but she's fun to hangout with once you get past her behavior. Right now, she wanted to join my club but she's nervous in meeting the rest, so I'm helping her out before meeting the guys." he stated.
Nathan smiled and nodded, "I see. Well, we'll leave the two of you alone with you're business. Ayumi, Yui, let's go. And Davis, good luck." he said.
"Thanks." Davis replied as he went back to the table where Tomoko is waiting, "Sorry for the wait." he said.
"W-w-w-what d-did y-y-you guys t-talk about? I-Is it a-a-about m-me?" Tomoko asked while fidgeting.
Davis chuckled, ''Nope! Anyway, let's get on with business. Since you're joining my club, it's best that we improve your social skills first, even a little, before meeting the rest." he suggested as he placed his hand above hers, "Shall we start?" he asked.
"H-h-h-hai..." Tomoko replied nervously as her heart began to beat really fast, so fast that she could hear it and to Davis' shock, he could hear it as well.
"This is a lot tougher than I thought. Oh, well. Here goes." Davis thought.
As Davis helps Tomoko, we go inside the kitchen, where we Yotsuba Satsuki, Mine and a small male cooking various meals.
Yotsuba is currently wearing a white chef uniform with a red scarf around her neck, red skirt, black socks and brown shoes while Mine is wearing the same thing only that she wears a white slacks and black leather shoes.
The male with them was a short, thin, light-skinned young man. He has a black hair, black eyes and a rather wide nose with large nostrils. He wears a white chef uniform, a large toque and an apron. This is Komatsu.
"Komatsu-san! Would you please take a taste of my curry?" Yotsuba suggested.
Komatsu approaches her with a smile, "Let me see." he said scooping a little soup with a small plate before tasting it, "Hmmm..." he hummed as he savors the taste before a smile form around his place, "Amazing! It taste really great! The way you mixed the sauce and the rest of the ingredients are done really well!" he said before turning to Yotsuba, "I must say, you're really good! You had skills of a five-star chef!" he claimed.
Yotsuba blushed at the compliment, "Thank you for the compliment Komatsu-san." she replied with a smile.
"Tell me, what do you plan in doing for the future?" Komatsu asked.
"I just want to build my own restaurant one day, I want to make people happy through the food I cook." Yotsuba answered.
Komatsu nodded, "It's a simple yet marvelous dream. I wish you the best luck." he said with a smile.
Yotsuba smiled brighter, "Thank you so much!" she replied.
Komatsu then approaches Mine, whom is carefully cutting off radishes into small pieces, "How's everything going Mine?" he asked.
Mine turns to him, "It's going good Komatsu-sensei, I'll have the next ingredients ready soon." she claimed.
Komatsu nodded, "You've come along way Mine. I still remember the first time you tried cooking that the taste was really unpleasant but look at you now, you've grown into a fine cook with noteworthy skills." he said.
Mine blushed at the compliment, "Thank you very much, Sensei. But I couldn't done it without your guidance." she said.
"Indeed that I guided you but it's your will power alone and your determination to become a better cook that drives you to become what are you today. You're the first day student I ever had and I couldn't be more prouder seeing my student succeed." Komatsu stated.
"Sensei... thank you very much! I promise I will harder, so one day I could reach the same level as you!" Mine declared with a determined smile.
Komatsu nodded, "Good. I'll be looking forward for that." he replied.
-BREAK-
Later, we see Marta Lualdi and Cheria Barnes walking around the streets while passing by Nozomu Natsume. Nozomu then approaches a building where we see Armin Arlert and Yugi Mutou, both are wearing a blue overalls over a white shirt and red shoes though Armin is wearing a cap styled backwards. Both boys are currently painting a building using long roller brush with yellow paint.
Nozomu then approaches the boys, "Are you almost done painting?" he asked.
Armin shook his head, "Not yet. We're halfway through painting this part." he replied.
"I see. Summer-sensei told me that once you finished painting this place, you can go rest for one hour." Nozomu stated.
"Hai! Thank you very much." Yugi replied.
Nozomu nodded before leaving as the two boys continues to work then suddenly Itsuki "Ikki" Minami pops his head out from one of the building's window.
"Sup guys! How's painting?" Ikki asked with an amuse grin.
Yugi sighed, "We're doing good." he replied, "You know, rather than asking us, you should at least lend us a hand so we can finish our work faster." he stated.
"Eh... no way! I'm already tired helping setting up the streamers, I'm done for the day." Ikki stated lazily when he noticed something, "Hey guys... you miss a spot." he pointed out with grin.
A tick-mark appeared above Armin's head in irritation then he quickly painted the said spot followed rolling the brush towards the window where Ikki is leaning on almost covering him with paint.
"Hey watch it!" Ikki yelled raising his arms up, "Do I look like a wall?" he asked indecorously.
Armin smirked, "Oh really? I thought you would look good in yellow." he said making Yugi snicker.
Ikki glares at them, "Wise guys eh!?" he muttered.
Inside the said building, we see Negi Springfield and Asuna Kagurazaka heading towards one room, the then enters a door from the far left and inside we Chizuru Tachibana, Oohori and Yuuki Asaba along with Madoka Kaname.
"Hey guys! How's the musical presentation going?" Asuna asked.
Chizuru strummed his bass, "It's doing great." he replied with a smirk.
Earlier today, Chizuru is pondering what to do for the festival, then he remembered what Lucy said to him the night before Harima & Eri's blind date, that he can have another job by singing. So, he decided to form a band that will perform in the entire duration of the festival.
He first asked the assistance from the Light Music Club but they already had plans of performing in the festival themselves. So, this opted the blonde to look for temporary members of his band and both Oohori and Yuuki volunteered to join. Oohori knows how to play the guitar and Yuuki knows how to play the drums.
The trio have been practicing all morning with Madoka observing them.
"I'm still surprised that you actually sing Chizuru-san." Negi stated, "How long have you been doing this?" he asked.
"I've only singed twice. First from the serenade I made for Homu Homu, second is back from the Naruto's party." Chizuru answered.
"Everyone is still shock that you can actually sing really good, especially those who doubted you." Oohori said.
Chizuru scoffed, "Like they say... I'm more than meets the eye." he replied.
Yuuki snickered, "Sure you are." he said.
"So how many songs are you intend to sing for the festival?" Asuna asked.
Madoka took out a list, "Twelve songs in total, amongst those songs are Stay, Every Good Boy Does Fine, Stargazer, Scarred, Upside Down and Judas." she counted.
"Judas?" Negi repeated.
Yuuki smirked, "It's an awesome song, believe me." he said twirling his drumsticks.
Chizuru strums his bass, "We're about to play another song! Care to listen?" he offered.
Negi nodded, "Sure!" he replied in excitement.
Asuna took a seat on a hard box right next to Madoka, "Let's see how good you guys are." she stated.
Chizuru nodded as Yuuki began to tap his drumsticks, "One, two, three, go!" he said and the band started to play as the blue eyed blonde, took a deep breath before singing.
Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
"Wow! They're not kidding! They're amazing!" Negi commented with such glee.
"They sound like a professional to me." Asuna said before turning to Madoka, "Are you sure this is the first time that they've formed a band?" she asked.
Madoka giggled, "Let's just say that playing those band simulation machines in arcades does the trick." she replied.
"Seriously?" Asuna said in shock.
Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
"Yoshika told me that aside from Chizuru's personality, is that his singing further cemented that she had feelings for him." Madoka whispers at Asuna.
"Really? Huh. Makes sense." Asuna replied with a smile.
Just hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment
I'm hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment here with you
After their performance, the band took a bow, as their trio of audience claps for them.
"Sugoi! That was amazing guys! I can't wait to hear the rest of your performance in the festival!" Negi claimed in excitement.
"Thank you sensei. But it's not just us that you had to look out for, other bands from AWA will be performing too at the festival." Yuuki stated.
"Like Houkago Tea Time and Beck." Oohori said.
"Really? Then the festival is really something to look out for." Asuna said with a smile.
Madoka then opens the window letting the wind blow inside, "I just hope the festival goes out without any trouble. We still had the Apostles to look out for." she said in worry.
"Don't worry. Kaname-san, with the AWA, the Harle Knights and the Magic Association working together, we will make sure that festival will go as planned." Negi claimed in determination.
"Attaboy Negi! Looks like you're learning a lot from Chizuru." Asuna said with a grin.
Yuuki looks at Chizuru with an amused look, "Really?" he asked with a grin.
Chizuru placed down his bass before looking at him, "Shut up." he said with a chuckle.
-BREAK-
Walking around the streets, we see Damascus standing still besides a lamppost looking around the area. Damascus is currently wearing a black jacket with a furred hoodie, white shirt underneath, a gray pants and shoes.
Damascus took out his phone and dials a number, "As expected... they're going to make their move sometimes during the festival." he said to his phone.
"Any more details?" Ginpachi asked from the other end of the line.
Damascus looks up, "I noticed that some of them are disguising themselves as travelers or shop owners, I'll send you a picture of them later." he replied.
"Good! Just keep up the good work and I'll see you at Vinci's Lounge to exchange informations." Ginpachi replied before ending the call.
Damascus puts his phone away before smiling, "The Apostles had no idea what's coming to them but the AWA must get ready, the next Apostles member coming to this city is a lot stronger than me." he said.
Okay! I'm done for today's chapter! If you're wondering what is the song I used in this chapter, it's titled Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse.
This are the characters that debuted in this chapter:
Youhei Sunohara from Clannad
Tomoko Kuroki from WataMote
Komatsu from Toriko
-OMAKE-
Still in the room where Chizuru and his band practiced, Negi was reading a small book.
"Woah! Is this true? The last body part of a corpse that will decompose is the hair." Negi stated out loud.
"That's one odd topic to start." Asuna commented.
Then Shinpachi Shimura enters the room after overhearing their conversation, "But the opposite happened to Oohori from what you just said." he pointed out much to Oohori's dismay.
"Why?" Negi asked.
Shinpachi pointed at Oohori's spotless head, "Cause he's still alive yet all of his hair were already decomposed." he stated.
Later...
"HEEEEEELLLLPPP!" Shinpachi screamed as Oohori along with Chizuru dumps him inside a deep hole.
Laxus Dreyar then approaches them, "What are you guys doing?" he asked in confusion.
Oohori turns to him, "We're going to observe which part of Shinpachi's body will decompose first." he replied bluntly.
And that's it. Next chapter is the actual start of the Festival Arc.
Until then Paalam!