It was morning. Frankie would normally mosey his way on over to the living room to get some serious gaming done, but now wasn't the time for that. He had other important matters to handle. After he quickly got himself together, he immediately headed for his old parents' bedroom to find her… gone. Just like he predicted. So it was a dream after all. Or was it? His tune changed suddenly as the wafting smell of fresh cooked bacon caught his attention. No, not just bacon. Pancakes. Syrup. Orange juice. Eggs. He followed the smell down to the dining room, confused but also a bit weary since if that was a dream he woke up from, that meant there was a stranger in the house. He was just about ready to charge as he came in full view of the kitchen when…
"Good morning!" Pyra greeted with a bright smile. "Breakfast is ready, so don't wait on me!"
"Pyra…? What is all this?" Frankie asked as he came closer.
"It's breakfast! Didn't you hear? You are an odd fellow, Mr. Frankie."
"No-no that's fine, it's just… well… you didn't have to do all that, I feel a bit bad now that I wasn't here to help…"
"Pish posh! I'll hear nothing of it! You provided me with hospitality despite hardly knowing me! It's the least I can do! Now go wash your hands and enjoy yourself!"
"Y-yes ma'am!" He said hurriedly. 'Well, she at least knows how the kitchen works… I'm amazed' he chuckled to himself as he washed up and sat down to eat.
"I hope you don't mind if I quote unquote undercooked the bacon, I've never been a fan of it being extra crispy." Pyra admitted.
"Thank you!" Frankie suddenly shouted, causing her to jump up a little in her seat. "I can't stand it when they cook it that way in diners… I mean, the fat is one part of the whole solution, it's instrumental to put it to good use!"
"Oh my. You sound like a real connoisseur chatting with your fancy culinary talk like that…" an impressed Pyra responded.
"Ah, I'm not any of that, I just like good food. Like, steak? You don't cook a well done steak, that's a disgrace, I need it nice and bloody; rare or medium rare, no more, no less!"
"Hah! You absolute carnivore! I myself prefer a nice juicy medium, done right, it's positively divine!" Pyra placed her hands on her hips proudly as she spoke.
"Seasoned with garlic?"
"Basted with garlic"
"And butter?"
"And thyme!"
"Pepper?"
"Freshly ground!"
"Rib eye?"
"Filet!"
"Baked potato?"
"Overrated. Wild rice or nothing at all!"
"Pyra… I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship…"
"Yes… I think so too…" both of them raised an eyebrow smugly at each other, keeping a close watch on the other in good fun. It certainly wasn't a boring breakfast, and Frankie was really hoping he could bring some recipes out of her for ideas himself. That time came just as he started the dishes.
"So Pyra… I take it you're a chef of some kind?"
"Oh really? Where did you guess that?" She asked cheekily with a slight chuckle.
"Well, I mean, you've probably guessed I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy. The day starts with meat and ends with meat if I can help it."
"Ah, all I need to start the day is a bit of tea and a biscuit… this is actually a special occasion for me, I'm not really a breakfast kind of gal."
"My idea of breakfast is chucking a few taquitos in the air fryer."
"Taquitos? Air fryer?"
"Right… uh… what I mean to say is, I don't have time or really care to make or clean up freshly made breakfasts but I wanna start the day off with some kind of meal at least, or else I'll get dizzy and irritable, and that's the last thing I want."
"I see… judging by how you were talking earlier, I assume dinner is your specialty."
"Of course! I can cook up just about anything! Steaks, chicken, fish, shellfish, ribs, corn, veggies, rice… Ah… well… boxed rice, it's a lot easier."
"Boxed rice?! Oh, you're joking! What WILL they think of next!" Pyra laughed giddly while Frankie looked on happily. He couldn't even talk about these kind of things with Kaito. This Pyra girl was alright after all.
"I like to get a little experimenty at dinner time. It's important to let people eat with their eyes first; meatball au poivre, potatoes au gratin, salad de maison, I'm not exactly picky, as long as it looks and tastes nice." Pyra playfully poked at her stomach as she continued to speak, "And… I'm no starving artist of any kind if you catch my drift." She chuckled nervously.
"Pyra. Have you looked at me? I think I know a lot more about enjoying your own art than you do."
"Oh, now that's a bold claim… but I guess it isn't so bad being a little… well…"
"Fluffy?"
"Sssure… let's go with that."
"You know, Pyra, a couple of friends of mine are going out tonight for a birthday dinner. We'll be having sushi, if you… even know what that is."
"Of course I know what that is! I've… never actually had sushi before but… I've heard people talk about it and it has always interested me… at least… from what I can remember."
"From what you can remember? What do you mean?"
"Hm? O-oh, it's nothing… don't worry about me… you just do what you need to do and get yourself ready when the time comes, I'll be here!"
Frankie looked suspiciously at Pyra, she was definitely hiding something. It didn't seem malicious, but certainly needed some further pressing at a later time. He decided to go back to the previous subject.
"Well, that's just it, Pyra, I was wondering if you'd like to go with me, I wouldn't want you staying here by yourself." 'For one reason or another…' he thought the last part to himself.
"Oh? Well, yes! I'd love to go! You'll have to tell me some of your favorites, a man with tastes like yours is definitely someone to be trusted as far as I'm concerned!"
"Oh you think so? Well I do like eel, and shrimp, octopus, salmon belly… nice… smooth… clean and buttery… it's heaven on earth…"
"Haha… of course, I have no idea what any of those things are."
"Oh, well, you'll find out soon enough." 'Yup… 500 seems about right…' "We aren't heading out until later tonight, so you have plenty of time to get ready."
"Okay! Done!"
"Done? Done with what?"
"Getting ready. Hmm… I do think a jacket of some kind would make all of this a little less striking, don't you think?" Pyra examined herself as she spoke.
"Oh nonononono, you aren't going out like that!" Frankie exclaimed.
"Huh? Why not? Is there something wrong with the way I'm dressed?"
"Well… putting it bluntly… yes. This isn't a going out outfit this is… something else." 'I'm not gonna destroy her innocence… I'm not gonna destroy her innocence… I'm not…'
"Well then… what would you recommend?"
"You're asking me? My idea of a going out outfit are khakis and a button shirt, and that's the extent of my wardrobe, barring basketball shorts and tank top undershirts. I'm not qualified for this position…" Frankie's face lit up suddenly. "But I think I know someone who might be able to help…"
—————————————————————————
Kaito was busy brushing his teeth and trimming up his beard a little bit, it was never too early to be ready, or at least presentable, for him. Though he was hoping Miko would notice at the very least. It was a feeble attempt at this moment in time. Miko, this young lady around Kaito's height, if not even shorter, with her bouncy brown hair matching her sharp dark chocolate eyes was deep in studies. Summer finals were coming up soon so she had to stay vigilant, that attorney at law degree was as good as hers! Just as she finished up her own question in her notebook, however…
"Ringringring ringringring! Phone call! Phone call! Ringringring ringringring! Phone call! Phone call!"
"Muffin? Could you get that, please?" Kaito asked politely.
"In the middle of studies, Kokonut. But I guess a tiny break won't hurt too much." Miko reached over to pick up the phone and answered diligently. "Hello, you've reached the Iino residence. This is Miko speaking, how can I help you?"
"He-hello? Miko?"
"Frankie? Is that you? Happy birthday! I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate it with you yesterday… but hey! Kaito tells me we're having sushi tonight? I like the cut of your gib, mister…"
"Thanks Miko, but uh… here's the thing… you see, I've got, er… company and uh… well… I need your help with a few things… could you come over and pick us up? We kinda need your expertise when it comes to looking pretty." As Frankie spoke from his side of the end, Pyra just circled him curiously, trying to find out what on earth he was even doing, talking of course, but to who and how was a mystery, it made her dizzy to the point of having to stop and hold her head together.
"Heheh… you've come to the right place, big brother, I'll let Kaito know and we'll be right over… oh! And our reservations are at 6! Sushi High Roller just opened up a new branch and I've been dying to give it a try! Talk to you later, Frankie! Oh, and one more thing… congrats on the girl…"
"Nononono- Miko-!" Frankie was cut off before he had time to explain himself.
"Kokonut! Frankie needs our help! So get that pretty face of yours shaved cuz we're headed out!"
"Awww but Miko… you think it's pretty…?"
"Step aside, because we've got a fashion disaster to fix!"
"Wait, what?"
—————————————————————————
Thirty minutes had passed and Frankie and Pyra had just barely finished putting away all the dishes when they heard a honking noise outside. Startled, Pyra immediately summoned a proper blade from behind her, darting her eyes to the left and right, she was ready to fight. It was donned in the same black, gold, red, and green colors just like her clothes. Frankie's eyes widened and his mouth swung open, tempted to ask where exactly she pulled it from. But he had asked enough questions already, ones without straight answers, at that. So he merely patted her shoulder as a way of letting her know there wasn't anything to worry about. She sheathed her weapon as she followed Frankie outside to investigate. It was Kaito's car.
"You called?" Kaito asked.
"Get in, loser! We're going shopping!" Miko shouted from the passenger's seat.
"Oh… well I'm not the biggest fan of hers to be quite honest…" Pyra admitted dryly and quietly to Frankie.
"She's just excited, don't read too much into it." Frankie sheepishly excused his brother's girlfriend as the two walked to the backseat of the car.
"Thanks for doing this, Kaito, it means a lot." Frankie said politely as he and Pyra buckled themselves up.
"Think nothing of it, big bro, let's go!" As Kaito put the car back in drive, Miko turned around excitedly now that she could see Pyra for real.
"Awwww, is this the girl you told us about? She's such a beauty!" She cried.
"Oh! Well… thank you…" Pyra shuffled in her seat with a slight blush, not expecting such a compliment right off the bat.
"Uh, Miko, this is Pyra, Pyra, driving up there is my brother Kaito, and this little Cocoa Puff is his girlfriend, Miko." Frankie introduced both parties to each other and let them talk things out for each other.
"Hey, Pyra, I hope you're liking the place, my big bro's a lot of things, and a good host is one of them!" Kaito hollered as he looked at her through the window.
"He very much has been! Him and I were actually discussing our favorite things to cook and eat before the two of you came to get us." Pyra responded.
"Oh boy, watch out girl, between you and me, Frankie's the ultimate foodie, give him and inch and he'll go a mile!" Miko teased.
"Miko!" Frankie shouted while Pyra giggled.
"Oh? And I suppose you're any better, Muffin?" Kaito shot back, just as playfully.
"Haha… well… you know how it is…" She sheepishly blushed.
"There was this one time in high school her and the student council had a rice cook off. She ate two whole pots and still had room for a whole bento box for lunch." Frankie whispered to Pyra, who giggled quietly. Miko heard him teasing her back there and stuck her tongue out at him defiantly.
"That's, uh… quite an outfit you have there Pyra… where are you from?" Kaito asked.
"Elysium… from what I can remember. Why do you ask?" She asked back. Kaito and Miko both stared at her quizzically before turning to each other with the same expression. They decided not to push any further and just continue driving, though Miko had a few more questions for her.
"So, Pyra, it looks like you and Frankie are hitting it off pretty well, how long have you two known each other? How old are you for that matter?" She asked.
"Oh, well you see-"
"It happened a little while ago! And she's 25!" Frankie interrupted Pyra quickly, barely giving her a chance to speak for herself.
"Oh! Just like Frankie! Awww… you two are the same age, that's so cute!" Miko turned back to face the road in her seat, leaving Frankie and Pyra to talk amongst themselves in the back.
"What was that?" She whispered angrily.
"Well, I had to tell them something! If you told them straight up what was going on, what do you think would happen?" Frankie whispered back.
"Oh… quite a few things, actually… that is a good point… but we're gonna have to tell them sooner or later."
"I know. I know… I'll be the one to tell them."
"Well, why can't I explain for myself?"
"Well that's because your presentation is a little…. errrrrrr…." Frankie twiddled his fingers and glanced away as he tried to search for the correct word he wanted to use, "exotic… and I don't know if you noticed this, but Miko's kind of a chatterbox, especially when she's really interested in something, in this case, that's you, and I don't want you disclosing any information you shouldn't." Pyra sighed and nodded slowly.
"You're right… I don't mean to be like that, really I don't… I just… don't know any other ways to express myself, really."
"It'll be okay, Pyra, trust me… as your… Driver, was it? I'm going to make sure of it…" Frankie smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Well, your Blade would be very appreciative if you did." She said with a nod, getting a tiny chuckle from Frankie. All the meanwhile, Kaito and Miko shifted their eyes to check up on them.
"What do you suppose they're talking about back there?" Miko asked with a smug grin.
"Couldn't say, but one thing's for sure, if this Pyra lady is as nice as she comes off as… then I'm happy for him… he deserves it… really he does…" Kaito looked off into the distance somberly as he finished.
"Kokonut…" Miko grabbed onto his free hand and looked at him sympathetically, getting a warm smile from him.
"I'm okay, Muffin… I'm okay…" he reassured her as they continued to drive in silence.
—————————————————————————
"Welcome! To the Shibuya Underground Mall!" Miko announced as the quartet finally came to their destination. Pyra shifted her eyes from one way to another. There were a lot of people staring at her, too many, she couldn't quite pinpoint why exactly they were, but based on Frankie and Kaito's previous reactions, she did have a few theories. She uncomfortably scooted closer to Frankie.
"Right. We need to find you some clothes that are a little more… down to earth." Kaito explained.
"And I know just where to find them! Follow me!" Miko hollered as she led the way, Kaito by her side and Frankie and Pyra at each other's, following behind a little distance away.
"There… there sure are a lot of people here, aren't there?" Pyra asked nervously.
"Yeah… I'm sorry Pyra… I hope you aren't too scared…" Frankie responded.
"Not scared, just… not well… none of the shops I used to travel to had this many people all over the place." She explained.
"Well, we'll get you out of this and to something more suitable soon enough." Pyra smiled a tiny bit as she continued shrinking into herself, nervous from all the attention she was getting. Frankie made it a point to let her walk ahead a little bit so he could stand behind her, just in case someone wanted to try anything funny.
"And here we are! Anything your little heart desires I'm sure we can find here! Say the word, Pyra, and I'll go help you find it!" Miko announced as they entered the clothing store. Even now, Pyra was getting funny looks from the employees and customers, even scorns from mothers who had to shield their kids' eyes away as they walked away.
"Oooh… well… I guess anything appropriate that fits me." Pyra said.
"Oh nonononono! That's too broad a term! We need to find something that's all you! Your figure says housewife but your body language says something else entirely… curious explorer? No, no, that's not it, and we are NOT getting you housewife clothing, you're too good for that, you hear me?"
"I-I hear you loud and clear Miko…" Pyra answered as she shielded herself from Miko's demanding tone.
"Perfect! Now, I think what we're looking for is something… business casual almost! But less business, more casual, but definitely something you can wear anytime anywhere! Follow me!" Miko grabbed Pyra by the arm and whisked her away to find just the right attire they were looking for, leaving Frankie and Kaito alone.
"Well, Pyra certainly shifted moods once Miko took over, didn't she?" Kaito asked.
"I don't think she's one for much hustle and bustle, even coming in, she was freaking out a little bit." Frankie replied.
"Hah, real lucky she found you, huh, big bro?"
"Hahaha… yeah… about that… there's… something I need to tell you." Frankie shuffled awkwardly at Kaito's side while the younger brother stared up at him.
"Tell me?" Kaito asked
"Well, tell you and Miko, it's.. actually kind of important."
"That's okay, big bro, I can wait. Whenever she comes back, feel free to let us know."
"I'm back!" Miko suddenly called.
"Miko? Where's Pyra?" Frankie asked.
"Oh, I took her to the dressing room myself, I want you especially to be real surprised when you see what I picked out for her." She answered.
"Er… okay…"
"Miko, Frankie has something he wants to tell us, I'm guessing it's about Pyra?" Kaito asked. Frankie nodded.
"Oh yeah? Well lay it on us, big bro! We're all ears."
Frankie looked at Kaito, then at Miko. Both their faces brimming with anticipation. He took a deep breath and started.
"You guys… I haven't been 100% truthful with what I've been telling you about Pyra." Miko and Kaito's smiles faded into grimaces of both defense and confusion. "It's nothing bad! I promise! But… well, I did tell you she was interesting over the phone last night, didn't I?"
"You did…" Kaito raised an eyebrow in suspicion as he very subtly shifted one foot behind him like he was getting ready to dash off if need be.
"Well… here's the thing… you remember that cross you gave me yesterday at work?"
"Yeah…?"
'No time like the present…' he thought to himself as he took one last deep breath and just let them have it all. "Okay, so really what happened was that after you guys had all went home, I stayed at work to finish my things they wanted me to, the cross began making some kind of weird sound and changing colors, so I picked it up to look at it then it started flying, she came out, stuff happened, she's living with me now, she's actually over 500 years old, and I'm her Driver and she's my Blade, and that's the end of the story."
Frankie spoke so quickly that Kaito and Miko just stared straight ahead at him as they tried to catch up to… whatever it was they just heard.
'Kill me now…' he thought to himself. "Iiiii mean… Gotcha! Ha! There's nothing going on with Pyra! She's totally normal! 100% just like I told you! So why don't we just go find her dressing room and wait outside and we can go and-"
"You're her Driver… and she's your Blade…" Kaito repeated to himself.
"Kokonut?" Miko asked, amazed at Kaito's strange familiarity with this odd concept.
"I've read about Drivers and Blades… a long time ago back in school… almost like… they're chained together to help each other fight for their truths and ideals… and that most Blades can be awakened by just about anybody, but special Blades essentially get to choose who their Driver is, not exactly, but a form of choice at the very least, did Pyra mention anything about that?" Kaito asked.
"She-she did…" Frankie responded.
"But Frankie isn't a fighter! Why did she… let herself be awakened or whatever if he doesn't fight?" Miko asked.
"Yeah… that's what I want to know…" Kaito said both to himself and Miko.
"You guys… Pyra just came into my life out of the blue and I don't want to just throw her out to fend for herself. According to her, if I did, she'd go back to living inside that cross until someone else reawakens her, and I don't want that to happen, but now this? She chose me to awaken her? What does that even mean? What's so special about me? You were the first one to see her, Kaito, why didn't she pick you?"
"Frankie, it's okay. Your what's and why's can be answered in due time, but for now, well… you just want to be a good friend to her, right?"
"Well… yeah, I'd feel awful if I didn't…" Kaito and Miko exchanged lowing smiles before the both of them came up to the taller man and patted him reassuringly.
"Don't worry, big bro, we'll take care of this research stuff, you just focus on getting her comfortable, it sounds like she could really use your help." Kaito stated.
"And if you need help, don't be afraid to give us a call!" Miko added.
"You guys…" Frankie smiled with tears forming in his eyes when a knock was heard at the back of the store.
"Oh! That's Pyra! Come on, boys! Let's go!"
"Well?" Kaito asked Frankie.
"I hope she's okay…" he responded as the two men followed Miko.
"Gentleman, May I present to you… the new, and improved… Pyra…!" Miko opened the doors to reveal to Kaito, a good taste in fashion, but to Frankie, a sight for sore eyes. Pyra was dressed in a plain hot pink sweater, which doubled as a cover for her core crystal and a simple long red skirt that finished just after her knees, making a small bit of her legs and a pair of shining ruby red pumps visible. Frankie couldn't look away, he just stared in bedazzled awe.
"Wow, Pyra, you look amazing!" Kaito exclaimed.
"All thanks to me, of course!" Miko proudly proclaimed.
"W-well, Mr. Frankie…? How do I look…?" Pyra asked as she turned away shyly, pressing her hair back behind her ears. He didn't give a response, but the look on his face said just enough for Kaito and Miko.
"Oh, he likes it alright…" Miko said smugly.
"Really? You think it looks good?" She asked Frankie.
Still no response, Kaito elbowed him gently to snap him out of his daze.
"Y-yeah, you look great, Pyra, like Miko said… ready for anything…" He said.
Pyra smiled in satisfaction and let out a pleased chuckle.
"Thank you, come again!" The store clerk said as the four of them walked out with Pyra's new and old clothes.
"Well… that's that, one step down… quite a few more to go, actually." Kaito said.
"I really do like the way this feels on me… it's not tight at all but it's not too loose… you made a good choice, Miko." Pyra said.
"Oh… well… you know…" Miko feigned modesty as she looked away cheekily.
"Maybe next time we can go to a place that's a little more lowkey, that way Pyra feels more comfortable going shopping." Frankie suggested.
"Well they're gonna have to come too! You two will come with us, won't you?" Pyra asked.
"We'd love to, Pyra, honestly." Kaito replied with a polite bow.
"Of course! We still got quiiiite a few hours until dinner time, you guys just wanna hang out here until then?" Miko added.
Pyra cleared her throat and glanced towards Frankie, instantly, he knew what he had to do.
"Why don't we… hang out at the library instead, that might suit Pyra a little bit more." He offered.
"Oh yeah! I could catch up on my studies!" Miko beamed.
"Orrrrrr… we could just find some good manga and read it together, what do you say?" Kaito asked.
"Huh? O-oh, yeah, that sounds like fun too!" Miko responded. "Last one to the car is a rotten egg!"
"Not me!" Kaito laughed as he chased after his girlfriend, leaving Frankie and Pyra alone once more. Both of them exchanged smiles before Pyra let out the first words.
"Thank you, Mr. Frankie, this all really means a lot to me." She said.
"Of course, Pyra, I'm just happy to help my Blade."
"Well I don't know how good a fighter you are, but you're being an excellent Driver nonetheless." Pyra assured him. Frankie chuckled sheepishly with a slight blush.
"Oh geez… you don't mean that…"
"I do! This feeling that I get when I'm with you… it feels so… familiar, and yet… it's like nothing I've ever felt before… does that make sense?"
"For once, Pyra, it really truly does." Pyra perked up a bit as she looked Frankie's way, both of them happy to have gotten something right in this odd little situation they've found themselves in. "Well, you heard Miko, we better get going."
"After you, Mr. Frankie." Pyra said with a bow.
"Pyra… we're friends now, you know? You don't have to be so formal with me."
"Are you sure?"
"I'd prefer it if you weren't."
"Okay then… let's go……… Frankie."
