Disclaimer: I don't own Majikoi or its respective content and creators. I only have my OC.
And Please Guys! Give Me All Your Thoughts On Everything In This Chapter In Your Reviews, This One Is Really Important Going Forward!
Review Shoutouts
The embodiment of Weirdness – Well that's just technically the canon version of events but this chapter WILL have something that deviates from the original route. I think you'll all like it.
The Storyteller993 – Well given she's a beauty all on her own I'm sure it's just her own instincts when she does stuff like that.
As for Umeko, well without spoiling HOW I plan to do that, let's just say her development will be like another slightly older girl in Kawakami Academy, but I'll leave it at that.
(Hint: She was just in the past two chapters.)
Majikoi – Love Me Seriously! – Momoyo Route
The Goddess of War – Part 6
Season of Honesty…
June 19th, 2009, Friday – (Cont.)
Meanwhile across the Pacific Ocean… in Washington D.C. in the White House.
"I hear you'll be visiting Kawakami Temple next week when you return." The President said to the Prime Minister.
"Ah, as the schedule says so." The PM replied. "The old man Kawakami always nags me to bring him some foreign souvernirs, but to be honest I didn't expect to see you here of all people Chancellor Merkel."
"I had heard you would be visiting here, but I had my own reasons." Merkel replied.
"I see, but at the same time have you all heard that Putin wants to start learning Japanese martial arts come the new year?" The PM relayed. "Apparently he wants to train at Kawakami Temple."
"Yes, that man is always a show-off…" Merkel sighed.
"He's the type of man who goes about wrestling bears, or at least so he says." The President replied.
"So there's something we'd like for you to do for us." The President said, the PM immediately could see where this was going.
"Would it happen to do with the two guys in the corner and the young lady in the black and red uniform, Merkel?" the PM pointed out the stoic soldiers that were in their own corners.
"You noticed, huh? I can't say I'm surprised. Come on out." The President calls the two fighters.
"As you say, come out." Merkel orders the German solider she has white hair and a long ponytail with multiple spiky bangs, with bright amber eyes, the one distinction is the stick hanging from her mouth.
"Oh, they all look… quite skilled." The PM replied getting a good look at the three of them.
"Their codenames are One and Two." The President stated.
"This young lady goes by the name Lisa Brinker, she is apart of our Hound unit, I think one of my own is currently deployed in your country." Merkel states.
"Yes, yes… she's made quite the ruckus the short time she's been there. So what is it that you two want?" The PM asked although he could guess at a glance.
"The two were made from out Super Solider Program, conducted using the full resources of the Department of Defense." The President explained his men.
"Ms. Brinker here is apart of our new special forces Hound unit, a team of elite specialists who all have well as the name suggests their own specialization in skills. She is one of many in the Hound unit." Merkel said.
"And why tell me all this?" The PM asked.
"We're all allies in this room. We want you to help us." The President offered.
"Come on now… don't go puttin' more work on my plate before I go back." The PM sighed.
"With the combination of the most ultimate resources at out disposal, these two we believe are the future of war and our newest strike force. Our country wants them to be the strongest warriors in the world." The President declares.
"While we have so such ambition, we wish to also test our own soldier's abilities by facing the best opponents they can find. I hear the one who defeated the Hound herself, is a student at the Kawakami Temple." Merkel revealed.
"Oh, so they're even watching that new boy that Tesshin got, that's either very bad or…" The PM thought to himself.
"Then why don't you name them that, Mr. President?" The PM returned to the conversation.
"No one would believe them without the proper authority. They must face a worthy and known foe and be victorious." The President replied.
"And so brings us back to Kawakami Temple…" The PM remembered.
"Yes, we want them to face the ones who reside at the Kawakami Temple, the one who beat Gail Caracal and the Hound, our best solider in a generation." Merkel said.
"Well, I'm not worried whether or not they'll accept." The PM sighed again.
"Don't worry they won't kill their foes. Well… not likely that is." The President said with a wistful smirk.
"And Ms. Brinker here has orders to do no such thing. No killing." Merkel reiterated.
"Yes ma'am." Brinker replied.
"Well I can tell they're all well-trained and they each have a certain glint in their eyes." The PM now gave the soldiers in the room a good look. Despite the German one's more relaxed nature, she still had an edge to her he could sense.
"But like I said, I do have some concerns for your men…" The PM mused.
"WHAT!?" Both Merkel and the President seemed shocked that he was worried for THEIR soldiers.
"Like I tell people, Kawakami Temple's beyond any theory of yours. Any human one that is… if Gates' computer can't keep up and the best in a generation military prodigy can't win… well I warned you both."
With that their meeting ended and the PM had three new guests to go along with on his trip back to Japan.
June 21st, 2009, Sunday
Kawakami Temple. The Prime Minister had finally returned and was visiting the Temple as scheduled.
"Oh. You've grown big, Momoyo-chan." The PM complimented the young warrior.
"Yes, thank you. I'm glad to see you're doing well." Momoyo returned.
"Ah, you must be the young man I;ve heard so much about, Azai Nagamasa right?" He turned to see me.
"Y-Yes sir! It's an honor to meet you!" I bowed respectfully as I greeted him. I knew the Prime Minister like to visit here from time to time, but even though this guy was fictional it was still an honor!
"I heard you're American born, but your family is from Japan. Just know they will always have a home here. But enough on that, how goes your studies and training?" The PM inquired.
"Excellent, sir! I hope you do just as well in your duties!" I simply can't help myself.
"Oi, oi calm down kid you don't need to be so rigid, I'm not gonna bite your head…" He gives me a rather friendly smile.
"Y-Yes…" I loosen up getting over my initial excitement.
"So. I figure you guys have heard… But we got some people that want to fight the two of you." He tells us.
"Eh!? BOTH of us!? I thought the US Sent those two super soldiers to fight Momoyo, who would want to fight me?" My thoughts raced hearing those words from the Prime Minister.
Just then…
"Hmmm… so this kid is the one who defeated Mar-chan?" I hear a voice from behind me.
"Hah!" Striking from behind, I feel my blade parried away by a short sword as I see a woman wearing a familiar looking uniform.
"That uniform…!" I pointed out.
"Hoh, looks like I forgot my manners. Name's Lisa Brinker there kid, nice to meet ya…" She then seemed to stop.
"W-what…?" I asked confused.
"He's so… handsome! He's definitely my type!" Such thoughts went through Lisa's head.
"Well there's that. But those two guys, are they my opponents? If they are, then you've made my day." I can feel Momoyo get serious.
"Mm…" The PM feels a bit of Momoyo's battle aura radiate from her.
During all of this Wanko found us and saw the PM, "Awawa! Assistant Master, the Prime Minister's here!"
"This is confidential, so you can't tell anyone okay?" Lu-sensei tells her.
"I know, but it's still nerve-wracking… Eh? Who's that lady over there with Nagamasa?" Kazuko turned to see an older woman with Nagamasa.
"So what's your name kid?" Lisa put her arm around Nagamasa being quite chummy.
"I-it's Nagamasa Azai." I answer with a stutter. Wait a minute… now I remember! This girl is part of Margit's Hound unit, why is she here?
Wait, does Germany know about Margit's defeat already?! Is that why they sent her here? Revenge? Training?
But my thoughts were drawn away as I heard Lisa, "Hey, let's get out of here and go someplace this is my first time in Japan."
"U-Um…" I stutter still her closeness still getting to me.
"Ahem." Momoyo clears her throat getting her attention.
"Excuse me, are you here to fight or flirt?" Momoyo asks annoyed.
"Oh, sorry, sorry… got carried away there. But yeah, I was told to face this guy here. If you can beat Mar-chan, I want to see what you're capable of. I won't hold back I tell you." Lisa starts to get a bit serious.
"Now then shall we get straight to the matches? First will be Momoyo, then Nagamasa." Tesshin laid out. "You're fine with two-on-one. Right, Momo?"
"Yeah." Momoyo simply replied.
And so despite some worries by the Prime Minster, Momoyo wasn't fazed at all. The idea of fighting two super soldiers created by the strongest nation on Earth was an exhilarating thrill.
"I'm fired up, Wanko, Nagamasa." Momoyo told us.
"Good luck, Onee-sama. Oh, you too Nagamasa in your match later!" Wanko cheered us both on.
"Heheh, I'm getting chills." Momoyo's battle aura radiated.
"Mmm… what's wrong with Momoyo-chan?" The Prime Minister once again mused on her lust for battle.
"Now , are both sides ready?" Tesshin looked. Momoyo and the soldiers both agreed. As pure soldiers, neither of them said a word and just from their nod alone told me they worked in complete unison.
"Then… BEGIN!" Tesshin started the fight!
"Haah!" Momoyo went in with her specialty, the one-hit KO, but the soldier's both dodged her kick by a hair's breadth.
The power of the lick generated a tornado flung in the PM's direction. But Lu-sensei stepped in front of him and parried it into the air.
But Momoyo was excited, "Haha. You're both way better than Gail was. Fantastic."
The two circled Momoyo from opposite sides, moving in perfect symmetry. After dodging that last attack, the two seemed different as if a switch had been turned on. They now moved like wolves going in for the kill.
And despite both of them striking at the same time, they were both blocked by Momoyo. These guys had fought on real-life battlefields, these guys probably had blood on their hands. Their attacks had been aimed at her vitals, if she'd missed by even a millisecond…
And in that exciting moment…
"Hahaha…" All Momoyo could do was laugh enjoying the fight. It was then the soldiers felt an intense wave of hostile pressure push against them. In that moment though it was the last thing they ever felt…
"A flash of light, and then next thing I see they're both on the ground." The PM was stunned, he hadn't seen one bit of movement yet both of the super soldiers were unconscious on the ground.
"Wow… she's no joke. The boss wouldn't lasted against her." Lisa replied.
"Hehe, to make Momoyo not hold back. Splendid, splendid. Please go and report they have the potential to be the strongest squad in the world." Tesshin told the PM.
He was confused, "Really? But they didn't last a minute…"
"Again, the potential is there. Please give them my card, I can sense in them the potential to be future assistant masters. We would happily host them, but only they can realize that potential." Tesshin told him.
"Damn, you guys are really something else…" The PM said with a deep sigh.
Momoyo bowed to her opponents, but she still felt unsatisfied, "I thought I'd get to enjoy that a bit longer… But once I got into it, I stopped holding back. That didn't do it for me… but Nagamasa's about to fight, I wonder what this lady's got up her sleeve."
"Next up. Nagamasa and Brinker Lisa!" With that the both of us entered the ring. Despite her lax nature, I could then feel a soldier's aura radiate from her. "Both fighters ready?"
"Yes!" I announce.
"Anytime!" Lisa announced.
"Then… BEGIN!" Tesshin began our fight.
The both of us charged the other, I saw as Lisa unsheathed a pair of tanto. After our small clash, the both of traded blows back and forth, it seemed by all means we were evenly matched.
"Oh, you're pretty good kid! I'm having fun!" Lisa said with a smile.
"You as well! I can tell fighting's in your blood!" I replied.
When I went for another strike, she jumped away. She had a glint in her eyes as she jumped at me and brought her weapons down at me, blocking them I pushed her away, but that's when she jumped again and suddenly she threw something into my eyes!
"Aaah!" I fell to my knees feeling the sting of whatever splashed in my eyes.
"Hey, that's dirty!" I could hear Wanko from the sidelines.
"No, that's perfectly acceptable Wanko. Disabling one of your opponents senses has always been a valid move in martial arts." Momoyo corrected her.
"Heh, heh…" Lisa then went in behind me to stab with one of her tanto, but… feeling her own battle aura, I dodged the blade despite my temporary blindness.
"Tch…" I heard Lisa click her tongue in annoyance. I stood ready, with that Lisa took the challenge and charged me, she came in with a flurry of attacks.
Eventually getting a feel for her movements, I began blocking some while eventually parrying one of them sent her stepping backwards, feeling my chance I retaliated. But as my eyesight came back albeit slightly irritated, I could see Lisa smirk.
"You know kid, you're good." She dropped character and seemed to genuinely compliment me in the moment.
"Oh uh… thank you?" Then she stabbed, with me suddenly on the backfoot I parried and guard, but eventually some of her attacks finally went through as I could feel her blades cut through my clothing.
"Kuh, guh… Guh!" I slid back, even though her blows didn't make contact I could only feel my anger rise.
"Grrr… Hah!" I retaliated with one great slash which she didn't seemed prepared for which also cut through her uniform.
"Kuh, you little…!"I felt her anger rise as well. For both of us, this fight had gone on long enough, it was time to settle this.
I took my own stance, while she did the same. We both stood there as we stared the other down.
"HAAAAH!" Almost like my fight with Margit the both of us charged the other and then…
*CLANG!*
We passed each other by… Both of us stood, the others on the sideline could only watch as they waited with bated breath to see who would be the first to give.
"Hah… I can see why she lost… you're just that good kid…" And with that Lisa fell to the ground.
"Winner, Nagamasa!" And that was now two Hounds beaten. Geez… I'm gonna be public enemy #1 in Germany at some point.
After the fight all three of the soldiers were taken away to be cared for.
"Good job, Nagamasa." Momoyo congratulated me as I felt her ruffle my hair.
"You were awesome, Nagamasa!" Wanko did the same.
"Oh… I see." The PM ha a smile on his face.
After fight was over, the girls and I had left. But the three men; the PM, Lu and Tesshin remained.
"Hey, old man Tesshin." The PM said.
"What is it now?" Tesshin replied.
"Don't you think Momoyo's getting a bit dangerous. In comparison, that new kid you took in, he seems quite balanced if you ask me." The PM noted. "One's addicted to battle, and the other's centered himself."
"Damn straight." Tesshin simply replied.
"Oh, this ain't a joke and you know it!" The PM chided Tesshin.
Lu stewed at how even the PM, a non-fighter could see that Momoyo's want for battle was becoming destructive.
There the men mused on Momoyo's nature, it was a worrisome thing as many saw her as a symbol of not only the next generation but as a beacon for Japan's prosperity and status.
Later that day Momoyo, found herself at the Tama River, "Man, I'm still feeling gloomy… this sucks. Those guys were the best that the most powerful nation on Earth had to offer, is that as tough as it could get? A normal fight would've let me blow off some steam…"
"Then… am I all alone…?" She then remembered in that moment the voice of her friend.
"That's to live up to the goal that Tesshin left me with… to beat you. And that's not a joke."
"Mmm… back then I could tell he was caught up in the moment, but his progress has come so far, so fast… Nagamasa… why can't I…" She looked at her own fists, and the thought raced through her head as it had so many times before.
A fight with Nagamasa…
It was then she stopped and smiled, "Yeah… I promised him just like he promised me. Overcome that barrier, Nagamasa. I'm waiting…"
"But first… time to tease my precious protégé! That should be nice and relaxing…"
Back at Kawakami Temple…
"Achoo!" I sneezed. Geez, was someone talking about me.
June 23rd, 2009, Tuesday
After School—
Mayucchi had arrived in our class as Chris approached about doing some summer sopping which eventually turned into all the girls agreeing to go.
And hilariously Gakuto getting shot down to be their pack mule essentially which gave me a nice chuckle to my day.
But when Wanko tried to call Momoyo to see if she want to join, "Huh? She's not picking up."
Miyako not liking her reply, "I thought we raised you to pun better than that."
Wanko whined a bit, "I-I was hoping I could at least get a smile."
With that Miyako sent Momoyo a text for later telling her what they were doing. Eventually the four girls left cheerfully.
But a short while later…
"The wolf's here." Momoyo arrived.
"Oh, Momo-senpai." Moro greeted her.
Yonpachi too had noticed her, "Shit, your body's so hot it should be illegal. Time to take some pictures."
But Momoyo punished him by taking his camera, "Hey, hey. I'll take any peep show photos you've taken, but that doesn't mean you can take any of me."
"S-Sorry! Please give me back my camera!" He begged.
The other girls noted Momoyo's appearance as they mused about her beauty and good looks.
"Hey, Nagamasa. Let's hang out." She asked me.
"Two in a row?" I ask her.
"Oh stop grumbling and come on." She pulled at my arm.
"I, too, shall go!" Gakuto tried to once again butt in, but Kazama held him back.
"Nah, wait up. Nothing about this feels right." Kazama said warily.
"Hmm, it's moments like these Capt's instincts are usually right." Moro noted.
It was then Momoyo revealed her intentions, "Man, it's glad you guys want to pay for my food."
And with that the three of them and even Yamato had run away, "Huh?! Cowards, the lot of you! And you wonder why girls are over you!"
Of course, I couldn't escape even if I tried since you know… she has my arm.
"Wow, look at 'em go." Momoyo was not impressed.
"Hold up, did you get either of Miyako or Wanko's texts?" I asked her.
"Hmm, I don't think so… Oh, wait my phone service was cut off." She confesses.
"Ugh, that's why!?" This girl is nothing but trouble.
"First, we got to fix this." She noted. "Can you cover me? I'll pay you back at the end of the month"
I breathed in and then exhaled, "You're lucky I don't have a tab for you and I save money. I'll pay your service, just watch your minutes next time."
"But still work hard this time so you can pay it next time, okay!?" I beg her.
"That's the plan." She replies.
"But we still have the athletic festival and then it's exam time." I pointed out.
Hearing the last part she stopped listening, "What's a test? Is it edible?"
"Momoyo!" I chide her.
"Don't worry about all that now. Come on, let's go play already. C'mon. Let's go, my protégé."
And once again I'm dragged along for her antics.
June 25th, 2009, Thursday
A familiar scene played out in front of the school gates – An old man epically trying to woo a younger woman and failing miserably. That old man was Usami-sensei and the younger woman was Umeko-sensei.
After school –
"Hey, guess what? Class C's Aramaki and Class D's Naitou started going out!" Chika tells the class.
"Oh, I heard that too!" Seems Mayo-chan has been hearing gossip spread around too.
"Oh, it's already old news?" Chika noted.
"But get this: Hagurocchi's got a boyfriend, too!" Wanko tells us.
Chika is shocked, "Huh? Seriously?!"
Haguro tells them how she picked up a guy who's going to dental school. She doesn't really-really like him, but likes him more for his looks.
Chika jealous asks her how she found him, but Haguro cheekily answered that she had her own ways of finding men claiming she'd apparently already gone all the way with him after she took him out for drinks which is suspicious since any bar would turn her away immediately.
Safe to say Haguro was now pushing Chika's buttons, and was pretty good at it. But despite trying to calm down it was obvious her anger was still trying to boil over.
"Nagamasa, Yamato… the way both of you are so cool in all this talk of couples. I always know what you two are doing. I love you…" Miyako thought as she watched both us.
"Guh… this stare. I'd know it from anywhere…" I thought to myself as I felt a sharp, piercing look try to bury it's way into my chest.
"Come to think of it; I heard that Class A's Nago-san and Class B's Tachibana-san are going out, too." Mayo told us about another couple.
"Wow, there's a lot of couples popping up left and right." Wanko pointed out.
"Everyone's talking about love." Chris said.
"Why not? Summer's just around the corner." Miyako replied.
"Hmm… and they desire someone to hang out with?" Chris asked.
But Wanko ever the train-aholic, "But they'll be missing out on the best time to train!"
"Dog, I have come to learn that you truly love training."
"The real question is, how do I win either Yamato or Nagamasa's heart or better yet how can I win both?" Miyako pondered openly. I felt myself shudder.
"Miyako, I've learned how you truly love Yamato, but I will say it's still weird to hear you say you love Nagamasa-san as well. Why?" Chris asks.
"Because, just like Yamato; Nagamasa and he are the same, but… He's just as great man where it matters!" Yep, there it is.
After that, the girls left to go to the toilet together since apparently Wanko had to go, and was just asking for company. I will never to this day understand why girls feel the need to bring someone to the bathroom.
Oh well…
With that now left the boy's turn to muse about love, but mostly the perverted ones. The others just had other loves they had. Such as Kuma-chan wanting to find more food options, Kazama wanting to go on an adventure, and Tadakatsu… was just being him.
But eventually their conversation was picked up by Chika, which started a small argument, but Chika turned back to asking Mayo about other couples she's heard about…
"I haven't really, but I am curious about one thing… How are things between Azai-chan and Momo-senpai?" Hearing that I nearly choked on my own spit.
"W-where did that come from?" I asked her. It felt like I'd just got beaned as the center outfielder, by a curveball that suddenly did a 180 on me.
"Oh, I want to hear about that too." Chika was now interested.
"I mean… there's nothing going on. Yeah… nothing." I looked over to Miyako's seat and she hadn't returned. I looked over to Yamato, but he was now reading a book, the pages covering his face.
Damn it…
"Hmm. I don't think I can believe you." Chika said. "But all that aside, I think you two would make a good couple."
"Yes, I think you two go great together. You two train together at the Temple and go to the same school. I think you both have excellent chemistry." Mayo said.
"W-well it's true she is beautiful… and we do hang out a lot, but that doesn't mean anything still." I tell them.
"Hah, yeah right! You're into her you just can't admit."
"I'm not. Shed have no interest in me whatsoever. I've only known her for 3 months."
"So? You know that girl is different; you know all of them are different from normal girls."
"Your point?"
"They train with you, they've come to understand you. Especially Momoyo, she's been watching you fight and train. You don't know it, but she's been checking you ot."
"Probably because she's just interested in me as a student and all that. It's not love."
"Then why haven't you denied the beating in your heart?"
"Eh?"
"You can feel it right now can't you? Every time you talk about her now, every time you;ve hung out with her. Your body reacts, your heart pounds… you like her. Admit it…"
"… … …"
"You know it's the truth… You love Momoyo Kawakami. It might be hard, but you do. You're in a position to gain her affections your own way. This isn't you-know-who's path, it's YOUR path."
"Yeah… I can't deny it. I've loved every moment I've had with her. The times we've trained, sat side by side, hung out, ate together, played together… and that time at the Hot Spring, after I fought Margit… She's say…"
"I'm waiting…"
"Maybe… just maybe…"
As I figured out my own emotions, the others jumped in the conversation.
"Well Nagamasa here and Momo-senpai… It is a bit out of the ordinary, but I got to admit they got their own thing. Almost like Yamato and Momoyo had." Gakuto points out.
"Yeah, their whole protégé-master bond is really tight." Moro replied.
"Hm. Nagamasa, do you like her? Then ask her out." Kazama said. "In the Kazama family there's no rules about falling in love. No matter how short your time is."
"Stop, stop, I-I said…" I tried to get them to stop talking, but…
"But your cheeks are bright red, Nagamasa." Mayo pointed out.
"And you've got a smile on your face. You like her don't you?"
"I know I ain't part of that whole family thing. But get a girlfriend and have some kind of fulfillment in your life." That was a little profound Tadakatsu.
"Argh! You've barely been here 3 months and I'm already jealous with how close you and Momoyo are, why's it got to be some as incredibly hot as her!" Yonpachi groaned.
The other guys joined in in telling me I should make my move and ask her out.
But… I knew that's not how that worked. Momoyo only respected and like guys who were hoenst and lived up to their word.
While I was on my way, I hadn't done that. If she could remember her promise from years ago with Yamato, I know she'd remember my promise to beat her a few months back.
I sat there and mused over how I could do this.
After school –
I found myself sitting on the banks of the Tama River, the same place almost where the girls and I went on that run where Wanko and I vowed to be rivals with Momoyo.
I sat there and thought to myself and be alone. I mean just the idea of going out with the Goddess of war herself, it was daunting, but… the challenge it self drew me in.
But even more than that, I had begun to honestly feel something akin to love for Momoyo for a while, it had been slow and while most of what she'd done was what she had did to Yamato as I remembered it.
I felt something… different this time…
Was it… Could it be that she… No, I had to put my foot down. She couldn't love me now, not until I've lived up to my word, but I have to tell her.
I have to be honest with her and myself. If I do at least tell her, I'll regret it and I don't want that…
Ever since I came here I've found a new meaning for me, but something meaningful… felt slightly different.
To be in love, to be with someone intimately… the thought made my heart race.
And so… I will take my chance as well! I'll tell her how I feel!
It was then I heard a certain girl skipping by me as Momoyo ran up to my side, "Oh, I found you! You thinking about things by the river again?"
"Haha, yeah…" I replied.
"Let's play. A girl my age just wants to have fun!" She cheered.
"Yeah, lets go." I agreed instead of arguing which seemed to get her attention.
"Hmm? What's going on with you?" She asked me.
"Hmm, well there's so much going on with the athletic festival setup, so…" She groaned.
"Sucks we're not in the same team." I replied.
I'd do it, after the sports festival. I'd tell her the truth!
June 27th, 2009, Saturday
Today was the day of Kawakami Academy's sports festival—
Normally I heard that Kawakami Academy was lively and crazy with it's events like this, but this semester…
"This sucks… this sucks…!" Gakuto blurted.
"Theres something wrong with how unexciting this is." Even Capt was a bit well, unexcited.
"I'm decently enjoying myself." Chris confessed. "Yamato, Nagamasa aren't you fired up?"
"I normally would be Chris, but even this funk is getting to me…" I reply.
"Hmm, kinda." Was Yamato's simple reply.
"That is unacceptable." Chris chided us.
"Chris, look around. Nearly everybody except you is like this." I motion to everyone else who was downtrodden and there was one big reason for that.
Teaming up with 2-S, was the real downer that put everyone's spirits in the tube.
"Hey, hey, don't pin this on us." Inoue tried to deflect the blame being put in them.
Kokoro was unhappy as always, "Indeed, it is a disgrace that I, a noblewoman, must cavort with you monkeys, but I am making do."
Another 2-S student spoke up, "Don't call them monkeys, Fushikawa-san. They're not that bad. More like rotten oranges, at worst."
Her line set off many more 2-S students to laugh at us. You could still hear all the scorn that emanates from them. All of them were there because they had the talent, but this crap was taking it too far sometimes.
"This is starting to piss me off, getting paired up with you." Gakuto once again stewed as his anger at 2-S boiled.
"You're trying to cast yourself as the victim, but… Please try to remember how much trouble we go through to make up for your incompetence." Azumi said.
"Oh really, maybe that's why my aim sucked at standing archery. The stench of a Fuma…" I said which riled up the ninja maid.
"What'd you say you little insect!?" Her real emotions came out after that.
"Hmph, such crude words from a monkey and you wonder why we look down upon you." Kokoro joined her side.
"Oh please, as if you lot have any right at all to play victim yourselves. As the "High and Mighty" class, give me a break." I shot back.
"Even still Nagamasa-san, we do have our flaws." Chris said.
"Yeah, they know right where to hit us." Wanko agreed.
"Well, at least we don't treat people like rotten oranges!" Yonpachi fired back.
For once Chika gave Yonpachi a compliment, but he wrote her off causing yet another argument between the two. Well there went any 2-F unity down the drain…
Azumi back in her "maid" mode, "My, my infighting already? Then maybe grab those little tongues of yours and rip them out."
"How's about I rip you limb from limb… your stench is infuriating me." For some reason I could not stand this woman!
"Huh!? You looking for a fight kid!?" Her true face returned.
"Enough Azumi. They must want for food and clothing. How we pity you lot." Hideo, the man of the hour arrived, the very embodiment of Class 2-S. "We hope you do not hold us all back."
"Hideo-sama, the boy's tug-of-war competition is about to start." Azumi relayed to him.
Oh god. No, no, no…
"Quick, claw your eyes now!"
"Then we shall take part as well! Blow the trumpet and signal our departure!" Azumi found a trumpet from… somewhere and then to my utter horror, Hideo had disrobed into his fundoshi.
"Mwahaha! Behold! This is our combat dress!" Hideo said boldly and proudly.
"You are chiseled perfection, Hideo-sama!" Oh yeah, I'm sure you're larping this right up.
But god… almighty, "Can't claw… eyes… out… fast enough…"
"W-what is that!?" Chris was shocked beyond all belief.
"Oh, we never told you guys did we?" Yamato said.
"That's just who Kuki is." Moro told us.
Wanko was the most affected as Kuki tried to present himself as a way to try and gain her affection instead simply creeping her out even more.
And once again the unity in the Seiryuu Army was slim to nonexistent, but Gakuto's attempt to one-up Kuki backfired immensely.
But despite all that the Seiryuu Army was still united in the feeling of not wanting to lose; for 2-F is was about proving their own strength and for 2-S to show they were the superior class
The Byakko Army was running away with the win. Of course if you have Momoyo, the Goddess of War on your side and another of the Four Divas on your side of course you'd win running away…
As the Byakko Army took it's turn on the Horseback Archery context, Momoyo was as gallant as ever. Everyone watched her as she fired her bow all of them being bullseyes and she looked like she was having fun.
Come time for our performance it was my turn. I was used to archery, but firing from a moving animal was different, but my training did come in handy. Firing at the 5 targets…
Bullseye…
Bullseye…
Off by 5 inches, down and to the left…
Nearly on target…
"Yeah! Don't look down on 2-F!" I cheered.
"You go Azaicchi!" I heard Chika cheer my way.
"You rocked Nagamasa!" I heard Capt call out.
The others in 2-F cheered along, but no one from 2-S returned the favor. And so the tension continued to boil.
"Ho, ho… that was pretty good my protégé. But your class isn't as spirited this time around. Couldn't get fired up without someone to beat?" She asked me.
"Well I can at least think of one person I wanted to try and beat…" I tell her.
"Hmm, did you beat them?" She asked.
"Sadly no, but I will some other time. I have plenty of time too, right?" I said I looked into her eyes.
She merely nodded in agreement.
Safe to say, my first athletic festival was… interesting.
June 28th, 2009, Sunday
In my room at the Temple I was hanging out with Toshimaru, her team had been part of the Byakko Army and her own performances were spectacular. Although we never showed it much, we had a sort of Miyako/Yamato bond, minus the love part where we'd hang out after training together and unwind.
"Well that was something the other day wasn't it?" Toshimaru said.
"Yeah, competing in the moment was fun. But I can't say it was good for my own classes dynamic." I tell her.
"Yeah, to pair up the two classes that hate each other the most. That's a recipe for disaster in terms of teamwork. But I saw a lot of you guys shine at the individual events, who knew you were such an archer?" She congratulated.
"You saw that huh? Well what can I say, I've got great trainers here." I chuckled a bit.
"Hey, Toshimaru, can I trust you with a secret. And you can't tell anyone about it?" I decided I needed to tell someone what I was going to do, to psyche myself up.
"Yeah sure, you've seemed a bit more energetic recently too. Would it happen to have to do with a certain older Kawakami sister?" She teased me, but it worked.
"…!" I panicked as I went stiff.
"Ho, ho… I knew it. That's why, you've got a crush on Momo-senpai. I mean who wouldn't but if you want my opinion; looking at you two I think you'd be a great couple, but whether she'll say 'Yes'…" She pointed out the obvious part.
"I know, but I plan to be honest, that's all I can do. But thanks for hearing me out and supporting me." I tell her as I give her a hug.
"Oi, oi, with how friendly you are you can give a girl mixed feelings you know?" She said with a smiek.
"I'd like to think of myself as an all-around good guy is all." I reply with a bit of a funny accent.
"Well I've got your back, no matter what. Like I said, you ever need me or my spear. I'm at your beck and call." Toshimaru told me.
Well tomorrow's the day… I'll confess my feelings to her!
June 29th, 2009, Monday
After School –
I left school earlier then usual after the final bell and decided to head for the Tama River banks the same spot Momoyo and I had talked at the day before the festival.
Sitting here I mused as my stomach despite my attempt at psyching myself up started getting that funny feeling, "You got this… relax. Maybe singing will get my mind off things."
I started off, "I found a love, for me. Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead."
"Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet. Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me. 'Cause we were just kids when I fell in love. Not knowing what it was. But I will not give you up this time.
I continued on, "But darling, just kiss me slow; your heart is all I own. And in your eyes, I can see you holding mine."
"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark. With you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass. Listening to our favorite songs."
"When you said you looked a mess; I whispered underneath my breath, but you heard it: Darling, you look perfect tonight."
My heart finally in it I sang my heart out, "Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know. She shares my dreams, and I hope that someday she'll share her own."
"I found a love, someone to help carry more than just my secrets; To carry love, to carry dreams of our own."
"We are still kids, but I'm so in love. Fighting against all odds. I know I'll be alright this time. Darling, just hold my hand. Be my girl, I'll be your man I want to see my future in your eyes
"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark; with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass; listening to our favorite song. When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful, I don't deserve this. But you look perfect tonight."
"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass; listening to our favorite song. I have faith in what I see. Now I know I have met an angel in person. And she looks perfect."
"I don't deserve this, but you look perfect tonight." And so finally at peace I stop the last verse.
"Hahaha, listen to me. I sound like some sap from a love story, but sometimes I like to naively think real life has those moments. What do you think, Momo-senpai?" I had felt her presence arrive just as I'd finished the last verse.
She was sitting right besides me, this scene almost exactly like how it was back at the Hot Spring when we were sitting on the terrace deck together, our fingertips still just barely touching almost as like if I moved them we'd be touching, but this felt different. I was happy to have admitted how I felt, but now it was her turn.
"Yeah… I heard your feelings as you sung your heart out." She replied. "To think… you had that on your mind… No… maybe I did know…"
"Momoyo-senpai?" I was a little confused.
"To be honest myself, ever since you came here to Kawakami and you've trained with us, I have to confess I recently… thought about you, and the promise you made." She told me.
"I see…" I replied, the both of us didn't look at each other as we enjoyed the setting sun together. "But yeah, that's the truth. I… I love you, Kawakami Momoyo."
"…!" I didn't even have to touch her to realize she'd been surprised by my confession.
"I was telling the truth. Like you I've been thinking about our bond, our promise… and how I had to be honest at least once to you, I owed you that." I explained.
"Haha, I admit you've… been on mind and we've been spending a lot of time together, but…" But hold that thought!
"Sorry senpai, but I can't let you respond." I interrupted her.
"Eh?!" She was now even more shocked, wide-eyed is the more correct term.
"Because I still have something else to do. Keep my promise to you first…Kawakami Momoyo, I will…" I drew my sword as I pointed at her, "I will defeat you!"
She stared at me as she stood I could see in her eyes she'd accepted my resolve, "I understand… I accept your challenge. Show me, how much of a man you are. I'll be waiting… Nagamasa, show me the results."
I sheathed my sword as we continued to talk amicably, "You know with how things are going between my class and 2-S, I can only feel things are going to blow up soon and not in a good way."
"Yeah, I think it'll probably end up in a… Kawakami War." She realized what that meant. "Hahaha, you planned that didn't you?"
"Hm, who could say?" I reply with a smirk.
"Still, I accept your challenge. When the time comes… let's have no regrets." She said.
"Yeah. But you know, if you want this Sunday let's go to Nanahama together, what do you say?" I offered her the idea of a "date."
"Hmm, are you asking me on a date even though we're not an item? But fine, having fun's still important. Besides for that surprise and not allowing me to say No, you better be ready to pay a king's ransom." She told me.
"You got it." I replied.
"Then I can't wait." And since we headed the same way home, we walked back to the Temple together chatting about useless things.
But one came to mind, a thing I'd had since I was a kid. A lot like Yamato, I'd wanted to get into politics, but since I was a dual citizen…
"You know I always wanted to get into politics when I was a kid." I told her.
"Really? I remember Yamato telling me at one point he wanted to be Prime Minister and change this place. That'd be his way of matching me. But what you want to compete for the dream now? You making an awful lot of bark." She tells me.
"While I can admit to my passion, I will confess I've never been the one to get down and dirty as Yamato does. I'm better as a mediator, you know making sure everyone's on the same page and things get done efficiently. I think I'd be his number 2, but at the end of the day sometimes it's the guy in the shadows that controls things." I say.
"Haha… you better back that up then." She told me.
We finally made it back to the Temple together, "Yeah, I promise I'll achieve my dreams and live up to my promise to you Momoyo. That I swear."
"Alright… I'll be waiting, Nagamasa." With that we both go our separate ways, but my feelings for her in that instant grew stronger as I had my dream to propel me forward!
"Now… time to get to studying! And then to ask Toshimaru to help me in my night training!"
Look out world! Here comes, Azai Nagamasa! Part of that, is making it to Class S next year!
AN#1 – Well here's the sixth part of the Momoyo route – "The Goddess of War" to my Majikoi story, I'm NOT a Samurai, Seriously. Nagamasa's has confessed his feelings to Momoyo, but now he must fulfill his promise to her and with a Kawakami War brewing things seem to be in perfect order to achieve them.
But now Nagamasa must redouble his efforts in order to be the man that is worthy of standing side by side with the Goddess of Martial Arts herself.
Wish him luck!
What's up next for our hero, Nagamasa? Stay tuned for Momoyo Route – Part 7 – A New Day, A New Dawn…
Now THREE chapters, back to back!? I'm more than on a roll, hope you guys are enjoying!
AN#2 – I hope you guys are enjoying this rewrite. So please don't forget to leave reviews and also follow and favorite as well too!
AN#3 – Remember I wouldn't be here without you guys! Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! :) Despite the current issues with the Stats on FF.