The Encounter With The New Ability User
"Kazumaaaaa! How dare you use me as bait again during the fight?", Ayano spit out fire and several fireballs kept on flying towards the wind user flying ahead with a big smirk pasted on his face. Kazuma sure seemed to enjoy messing with the young milady of the Kannagi clan, the girl who was swamped in angry sparks and flames burning from the power of her supreme sword, the Enraiha. Their younger brother, Ren, could only sighed and hoped they would not get hurt from the pointless fight, which was actually the usual routines after the gang took care of their missions. Whenever Ayano was used as the bait by Kazuma, she was never that happy and things got worse when he left her half way which resulted in major bickering in the end, mostly initiated by Ayano of course. However, Ren did know one thing that Kazuma never left Ayano because he was heartless, but to help her improve her power and fighting skills; in the end, he always managed to protect both Ayano and Ren whom he held dearly in his heart.
Although Ayano seemed to lose her cool this time, she complained more than usual to her best friends – Yukari and Nanase at their favourite cake café.
"Girls, I really can't stand Kazuma anymore, he has been so reckless lately!", Ayano let out her anger while putting a tray of cakes on the table.
"What is it this time, Ayano?", Nanase asked with a nonchalant and amused tone, one of her eyebrows jerked up. Yukari sat down with her cakes and giggled a bit.
"Is it the usual he-used-me-as-bait problem Ayano?", Yukari jokingly asked.
"It IS the problem and he got even cockier this time! He barged ahead and did not even give me any leads this time, I was left behind and waited for his return only to hear that he let the youma get away. He should have let me fight with him, we could have caught that youma.", Ayano pouted as she gulped down the cream puff.
"I see, maybe he was afraid that you might get hurt Ayano.", Nanase suggested.
"He just wanted to finish things quickly so he could rest. That's what HE said. How unbelievable.", Ayano said as she finished the second cake.
"Guess it can't be helped. Hasn't he been aiding the police force lately on several cases as well? He might be tired from that though.", Yukari spoke as she took a sip of daisy tea.
"Anyhow, I will definitely have a talk with him again about this. I told him before not to act on his own again but he is such a bad team player. If only there's someone who can show him how to work as a team, then that would be great.", Ayano expressed her thought as she looked at the busy flow of people outside the glass windows.
In the same afternoon at the Hamada's household, the only son of the family – Rei, was summoned to the main room. While the young man was settling down on the couch, his father finished the second cigarette and started the conversation.
"Rei, have you finished the paperwork regarding the issue of moving to Seiryō Academy?", he questioned.
"Yes, father. I have completed the procedure and tomorrow I will be attending there. But may I ask one thing, father?", Rei replied with a question.
"Go ahead, son.", Mr. Hamada replied.
"What is the reason behind my change of school?", Rei asked with great curiosity.
"I see. It should be natural for you to ask this question alright. To be honest, your mother and I hid this matter from you since it might result in your rejection of changing school. However, I suppose you should know the reasons behind our doings, you are grown enough to understand this after all.", Mr. Hamada crossed his leg then took a sip of water. Rei was patiently waiting for the answers.
"Have you heard of the Kannagi clan? The fire user family, Rei?", he raised the question.
"Ah, yes. They are very powerful in their fire using ability and have been protecting the city from dangerous youmas.", Rei confirmed.
"I want you to get acquainted with the young milady of the Kannagi clan, she is the heir of the sacred sword Enraiha and is also a powerful maiden in her own right. She is at your age Rei, so I hope you two can get along well. If possible, try your best to strengthen your relationship with her and the Kannagi clan, you and thus your family will be able to form a great alliance with the Kannagi family.", Mr. Hamada firmly stated his intention.
"I see, I would not go against your decision, father, since I also think it is important to form strong alliance with powerful families like the Kannagi for the sake of our family's safety and future development. I think I will be useful in aiding milady Kannagi in her mission.", Rei agreed.
"That's the spirit my son. Your power shall be of great assistance for the Kannagi clan; however, do not lose your pride and self-value, I do not intend to sell your freedom and power to them either, you should do what you think is best. And remember, you are representing the Hamada family to form this alliance Rei, please choose your actions wisely.", Rei's father slowly rest his body on the back of the couch, his eyes were fixated on his son, his fingers interlocked and rest on his laps. Rei could sense the seriousness from his father's tone, which seemed more intense than usual, he believed in his parents' decision and promised to do his best in this mission – to become friend with Ayano, or so he thought.
-UwU-
The next morning, Ayano got up early and practised with her bamboo sword at the dojo, her body heated up with the movements, her moves were sharp but her mind seemed to be somewhere else.
Kazuma, I just can't get you sometimes, I just want to be your strength whenever we fight the enemies, am I really not that reliable?
Ayano slashed the air with her sword, letting out her frustration and hoping the exercise will cool her head. It did not work well though, when Ayano looked at the sword's grip it actually got burned a bit. The young milady sighed at her lack of self control, it's all your fault Kazuma, hmph!
After the morning practise, Ayano finally changed into her school uniform and hurried for school, she was almost late after all.
"Morning Ayano, a bit closed right there girl.", Nanase glanced at the clock and waved at Ayano.
"Phew~ I made it! Morning, Nanase, Yukari!", Ayano greeted back and spotted Yukari's exciting face.
"Hey, I heard that our class will have a new student today girls. How interesting!", Yukari announced, her eyes sparkly lit.
"Really? It's already the middle of the semester, I wonder who?", Ayano questioned, more to herself.
Just then, the teacher came in and the class settled down, Ayano felt a weird but familiar aura coming from outside the classroom. A boy came in after the teacher's signal introduction, his gaze directed at Ayano for a bit then shifted away.
"Class, today we have a new student transferred to our class, please introduce yourself Hamada.", the teacher spoke as he invited Rei.
"Hello everyone, I am Hamada Rei, it's my pleasure to be here and I hope we can get along well with each other soon.", Rei cleared his throat.
The sensation got stronger, is it power? what is this guy? Ayano thought as the new student settled in his seat. Time flew by and it was finally break time, Ayano took out her water bottle to drink, and a guy approached her, Hamada!?
"Hi, I am Hamada, if you don't mind can I be your friend?", Rei requested shyly while giving out his hand for a handshake.
"Uhm, sure, nice to meet you, Hamada. My name is Kannagi Ayano.", Ayano put down her bottle and took the boy's hand.
"Oh my, you are pretty bold Hamada.", Yukari commented.
"Oh, this is Yukari and Nanase, they are my best friends.", Ayano introduced.
"Nice to meet you two, I am Hamada. Hope we can get along!", Rei bowed slightly to Yukari and Nanase.
Ayano was about to ask something but the school bell went off and signaled break time was over, she returned to her seat with lots of questions in her mind, and the same went for Rei. Class went on and in a blink of an eye, lessons ended as the sun slowly set. For some reason, both Yukari and Nanase went home ahead of Ayano, claiming they had urgent business to do. The two were planning to let Rei and Ayano get along with each other more, at least Rei seemed to want so since he was caught looking at Ayano sometimes, which triggered the girls' curiosity. Ayano was at the school's gate when she heard Hamada's voice.
"Kannagi-san, please wait a minute.", Hamada called out, he was panting from the run.
"Hamada? What's wrong?", Ayano was surprised and confused.
"Sorry, I just want to ask you something. Mind if we talk on our way home?", Rei suggested.
"I am not sure if our houses are closed so maybe we can walk around the city center a bit then.", Ayano replied. She wanted to ask Rei about the aura she sensed from him, though felt hesitant since it might make Rei feel weirded out. So far, Nanase and Yukari's plan had been quite successful; however, what would become of the relationship between Ayano and Rei after their talk?