“No.”
“Oh, come ON!”
“Absolutely not.”
“But, Roo—”
“No way.”
“Do you care about him or not?”
“That has nothing to do with this.”
“I believe it has.”
“What you believe has nothing to do with this.”
“And what you believe does?”
“That’s beside the point.”
“What IS the point, then?”
“I will NOT be the bait.”
“I wouldn’t call it being a bait. Though, of course, what I’d call things doesn’t really matter, now, does it?”
“But… Somehow I feel like I’m tricking him or something…”
“Keh. You ARE gonna trick him. It won’t be that hard. You’ve already lied to him several times and pulled it off, remember? Besides, he won’t remember anything.”
Kaji sighed in exasperation — with a mix of relief — as Aiko sank back in her seat. She was being the absolutely stubborn Rookie she was. Her arms were crossed, her lips were in a furious pout, and her striking grey eyes were glaring at him.
Kaji grinned.
She was irressistably CUTE when she’s angry.
After a few moments of silence, Aiko finally spoke again. “Can’t we just do it when he’s sleeping?”
“We can’t wait until night comes,” Yuki reasoned. “Besides, he can see us even if we’re unvisible, and you said yourself he sleeps like a cat.”
“Why can’t one of you guys be the ba— I mean, decoy?”
“Fine. I’ll be the decoy, YOU hit him.” Kaji said, emphasizing the “you”.
“I will not hurt my best friend. Nor willl I contribute to others in doing so.”
“ARGH!” Kaji threw his hands up in frustration. “We won’t hurt him, Rookie, we’ll just—” he suddenly stopped, then blinked. What was he going to say again?
Aiko narrowed her eyes. “We’ll just WHAT?”
Kaji cleared his throat. “He won’t remember it.”
“KAJI!!!”
“Well, he won’t!”
Aiko practically slammed her head on her desk. “Aiya…” Sometimes Aiko wondered why — oh, why?! — Ran made them promise to keep their identities as Stars concelealed. No, scratch that. Aiko wondered about that nearly ALL the time. It just made life harder! Especially if your best friend most conveniently had to have a weird ability to see things he’s not supposed to, and remember things he’s supposed to forget.
Suddenly, the door slid open to reveal the man in question himself: Toriyama Kamui. He froze in his tracks upon seeing the three, blinked, then glanced up to the room number.
“Hey guys…” he said hesitantly, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“Good morning, Kamui-kun!” Yuki greeted him cheerfully, while Kaji just nodded to him.
Aiko on the other hand, mumbled “Hao…” so dejectedly without lifting her head, that Kaji had to roll his eyes. Kamui’s eyebrows, though, shot up.
“Ai-chan?!”
“Unfortunately,” she replied in the same tone, causing Kamui to look inquisitively at Kaji and Yuki. The two Stars both shrugged.
“Man, you’re early,” he commented, walking towards them. “Anything wrong?” Aiko just shook her head, still not moving from her position.
“Well, I gotta go.” Kaji suddenly said, standing up. “Your classmates ought to be here any minute.”
“Oh yeah, Hino!” Kamui called just as Kaji was almost at the door. “We have practice this afternoon, OK?”
Kaji was about to say “Yeah”, when he saw Aiko staring at Kamui’s back. “Ummm…” was all he was able to get out.
“You…do remember, right? I told everyone in the locker room yesterday.”
“Well, yeah…It’s just…” Kaji tried very hard to restrain himself from focusing on what Aiko was doing. “Ummm…”
Kamui blinked. “Are you doing something important today?”
“No…Not really.”
“So what’s wrong, then?”
“Nothing! I mean…Uhhh…” Think, Hino, THINK! “What if it rains?” Lame. VERY lame.
Kamui blinked again, then chuckled. “Sempai, with all due respect, we don’t really care. This is soccer. We play rain or shine. To some extent, of course.”
“Yeah, I know…”
“Besides, the sports fest is coming up. We gotta get training harder like everybody else. I mean, even the track team’s going to have extra training days. Right, Ai…”
That moment, Kamui chose to turn around to seek approval from the track team captain…
“…ko…?”
…who just happened to be standing up on a chair, and was about ready to hit Kamui with wind spheres.
For three agonizing seconds, the two just stared. Until Kamui’s left eyebrow went up again. “What ARE you doing, Aiko?”
Panic filled Aiko’s eyes, then she casually jumped down from her chair. “Nothing.”
Dark blue eyes narrowed at her. “You really expect me to believe that?”
“No.”
Kamui’s eyes narrowed even more.
Aiko smiled wanly.
Kamui rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Yuki and Kaji let go of their breaths.
That was close.
————–
Maya tried. Honestly, she did. But it was SO hard to sit still with your hands on your lap when your brain’s at the brink of explosion. Even moreso since she could feel Fuu’s worried gaze upon her. Maya focused on her “mantra”: I will not ask. I will not ask. I will not ask. I will not ask. Asking will lead to doubt. And doubt will lead to failure.
“Maya-chan?”
Maya’s head snapped up at the sound of Yuuji’s voice. He was looking at her with a concerned face. “This is a meeting. You CAN talk, y’know.”
Maya looked at Fuu, then bowed her head. “I know…” she said meekly.
Yuuji wasn’t satisfied. “Do you want to say something?”
“No, sir…”
The black-haired man cocked his head. “I know you have something on your mind, Maya-chan. Might as well say it out loud.” When the younger girl didn’t speak, Yuuji sighed. “I know you, Maya-chan. If you don’t remember I’ve known you since you were 6. And I know for a fact that every time you nibble on your right thumbnail, that means you’re thinking of something very seriously. And you were doing exactly that about a minute ago.”
After a few seconds, Maya spoke… or rather, whisprered. “It’s not that important.”
“Yes it is. Everyone has the right to say what they want. And right now, whatever YOU have to say is VERY important. Besides, you’re talking to ME right now, not Youko. You can say what you need to say.”
Finding logic in what the older boy said, Maya finally sighed, then complied. “I just… Do we have to do this this way? Can’t we just do it like we did before?”
“Our former ways before have failed TWICE,” came a cold voice. Maya froze.
Yuuji stood up from his chair. “Youko-sama…what—”
“You know I don’t like to wait, Yuuji,” the one called Youko said. He stepped out of the shadows and into the room. His silver tapered hair swayed behind him as he walked to the head of the table, the position Yuuji has just vacated. Maya gulped and chose not to look up. She could feel his tall figure looming over her as it was, even if he was a few feet away from her. “Maya.”
The girl practically jumped. “Hai?” she asked in a small voice as she slightly lifted her head. Her eyes never left the table.
Youko sat down. “I understand your confusion for this matter, and, no, we shall not be abandoning our original methods. However, it is imperative that we take this one. If we fail, it COULD lead to the end of us.” Maya closed her eyes and tried to breathe calmly. She could feel Youko’s silver eyes boring through her. Maya bit her lip. Everyone knew what the last question would be, and they all knew the answer Youko was expecting. And nobody would want Youko to be dissappointed…
“The task has been explained and laid out before you in detail. It is on a silver platter before you,” the man spoke smoothly. “Maya, it is very simple yet highly important. You understand this, do you not?”
Maya felt a warm hand touch her shoulder. As if drawing strength from it, she opened her eyes and looked directly at Youko. Her jaw clenched at the very sight of the man who always wore white.
“Yes sir.”
“Will you do it?”
Maya took a deep breath, the answered more boldly, “Yes sir.”
A grin escaped Youko’s lips. “Very good.”
————–
“AIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!”
Aiko fell on her chair and let her hands slide across the desk until her head came in contact with its wooden surface. This was not going well. The only thing Aiko was thankful about that day was that Kamui hasn’t been asking anything about yesterday.
“Why… Whywhywhywhy?!” she repeated frustratingly.
“Cool down, Aiko,” Yuki said, sitting down on the chair next to her.
Aiko took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. “Blast it.” For some reason she was very emotional today. Maybe it was the fact that she woke up this morning an hour earlier than usual…
“Any other ideas, Kaji?” Yuki finally said after a few moments of silence. Kaji said nothing as he stood there with eyes closed, leaning on the wall.
“Aiya…” Aiko sighed for the millionth time that day. She stood up and started gathering her things from under her desk. School was out already. At this rate, they’re going to have to do it when Kamui goes to sleep tonight. But they can’t follow him to his house or he’ll get suspicious. And they can’t leave him alone, either. Aiko sat down again and closed her eyes, trying to think. But she just can’t keep still.
“I don’t understand.” Aiko recalled the things they’ve tried, and counting them with her fingers. “We’ve tried hitting him singlehandedly, and purposely slamming a door in his face. We’ve thrown at him a soccer ball, vase, a chair, a table,” every word came out louder than the one preceding it, “AND we even tried using Star abilities to sneak up on him! We’ve tried every freaking thing we know on how to knock someone down!” Aiko slammed her fists on her desk, sending a few notebooks to fall on the floor. “Why does he ALWAYS have to know we’re there?!
“WHY CAN’T WE JUST HIT HIM?!”
“And why have you been trying to hit me?”
“GAAAH!”
-WHAM!-
-thud-
Yuki blinked, trying to process the things that had transpired in the previous 5 seconds. A mere split-second after Aiko’s outburst, the door slid open to reveal Kamui. Caught by surprise, Aiko had thrown the nearest object — which happened to be the thickest book on her table — at her friend, hitting him on the head with utmost (accidental) accuracy. The aforementioned friend then collapsed to the ground.
Kaji blinked, making a mental note to himself: Never ever surprise the Rookie. EVER.
Aiko blinked, staring at the figure on the floor. The events registering in her brain, her hands flew to her mouth.
“KAMUI!”
She ran to him, concern and guilt written all over her face. “Kamui? Kamui?” she called, patting his face lightly. Aiko bit her lip. Kamui’s eyes were opened slightly, but they were completely blank.
“Wow…” Kaji chuckled beside Aiko. “I couldn’t have done any better.”
“Shut up, Kaji!” Aiko snapped, glaring at him before turning back to her classmate on the ground. “Kamui, are you OK?”
Kamui then grinned oddly. “I’m fine, Aiko, really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine, really,” he mumbled continuously.
Aiko sweatdropped. Looking up at the Stars with her, they agreed mutely and pulled their dizzy friend into the room.
————–
It was already past 5 o’clock in the afternoon, but Kobayakawa High was still alive. In the auditorium, the tennis team was having a practice match, and the badminton team had just been given a 5-minute break. In the kendo training hall, the Kazetenshi vs. Morikawa match had just ended, with the former proclaimed the winner. The ice skating rink was filled with skaters and spectators alike. In the north field, the baseball team was in the 5th inning already. In the east field, the men’s track team just finished a race, and the women’s team was gearing up for their turn. In the west field, the soccer team was holding their practice, though they were short of two players…
The main field, though, was practically deserted, save for 10 or so students preparing the area.
“Higher. A bit more…THERE! OK…Now put the other blue one over it…”
Sighing, Aiko twisted her neck a bit. Looking at the stage as high as the second floor CAN get tiring… “Lemme try that…” she said, climbing up the stage.
“Hey…”
Aiko looked down to see Kamui. “Hao…Are you OK enough to be walking out here?” she asked as she adjusted the streamers.
Kamui shrugged. “I suppose. I mean, aside from the fact that my forehead still hurts, I’m pretty fine.” He smiled up at Aiko, who smiled back at him. The second she bowed her head to adjust the streamers again, she frowned. Something was wrong. Kamui’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and she noticed it.
“You got the stage up in 2 hours? Man, you guys are fast.”
“We had the wood ready for about a week already. Besides, this is just a temporary stage. The real one’ll be assembled in two days. We’ll be sewing the streamers, see, so we won’t have to measure all over again… Hey, careful…This one isn’t sturdy yet.”
“Right,” Kamui replied as he climbed up the stage. The bell rang, telling everyone that it was 5:30 already.
“OK, guys, you can go now. Great job!” Aiko told the other students through the megaphone. They started packing their things and waved their good-byes to the two on the stage. Aiko then started to mark the streamers with pins.
“Aiko.”
“Hm?”
“You’re my best friend, right?” Kamui asked.
Aiko threw a quick glance at Kamui. “Yeah…”
“So I’m supposed to trust you, right?”
Aiko’s head snapped up. Supposed to? “Yeah…” After a few moments, Kamui said nothing. “Kamui…What’s wrong?”
Kamui heaved a sigh. How was he supposed to put it? “Aiko, we promised to be honest to each other, right?” Aiko nodded. “You told me they weren’t real. That I was just dreaming. But I saw them, Aiko. And I know you saw them, too.”
Aiko suppressed a gasp. No. It can’t be. They’ve removed his memory twice already. TWICE! He wasn’t supposed to remember! Aiko gulped and tried to keep her face stoic as Kamui’s eyes peirced hers.
He knew.
“I don’t know why you lied to me, Aiko, and I’d rather find out so I can help you. Those girls are after you…or me…or both of us. But I’m definitely not about to sit back and do nothing knowing that.”
“Kamui…” she said firmly. “I don’t know wh—”
Aiko gasped as Kamui grabbed her arms roughly. “Don’t you understand, Aiko?! If we don’t help each other, one of us can end up dead!”
“Kamui, let me go! I don’t know what you’re talki—”
“DON’T LIE TO ME!”
“Kamui…” Aiko whimpered. She knew Kamui cared for her, and would never hurt her. But the way he held her then, and that look in his eyes…It was scaring her.
Then, suddenly realizing what he was doing, Kamui released Aiko and took a step back. The Star searched his eyes, though they weren’t looking at her.
“Kamui…” she started, reaching out to him as he moved away from her. He looked…lost.
“I…I’m sorry…” he whispered, raising one hand to his bowed forehead. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, taking another step back.
That step changed Kamui’s life forever.
Aiko’s eyes widened as the floor plank Kamui was stepping on suddenly gave away. MOVE, AIKO!!! her mind screamed. But when her body finally complied, Kamui was already in the air.
“KAMUI!” she screamed, taking three long strides and leaping off the stage.
————–
Her hands trembled. She had done what she was told, wasn’t she? Then why was she shaking?
“Very good,” her superior said. “Very good, indeed.”
Maya couldn’t help a small smile. Yes, she did what she was told, and he appreciated her for it! Her! The youngest and practically the most insignificant Rose!
“We will be sending minors to retreive him.”
“MINORS… sir?” Yuuji suddenly spoke, causing Maya to look up at him.
“Yes, Yuuji. MINORS. Do you have anything against that?”
“But, Youko-sama, the Roses can—”
“The minors can handle it, Yuuji. Do you have anything against my decision?” Youko’s voice boomed in Maya’s ears, though he didn’t really shout or anything. Yuuji bowed his head.
“No, Youko-sama.”
“Leave.”
Maya bowed, as well, then followed Yuuji out of the room.
————–
The mahogany doors to Ran’s office burst open as a strong gush of wind entered, revealing a furious Wind Angel.
“RAN-SAMA!!!”
Ran closed his eyes, and kept silent. This was expected.
“Rookie, have you gone CRAZY?! What if the people in the hospital saw you?!”
Aiko ignored him. Ran heard his maroon-haired apprentice sigh.
“Ran-sama.” Aiko repeated firmly. “You KNEW, didn’t you? You KNEW they were after him. You KNEW he didn’t forget! You KNEW he could see us! You knew EVERYTHING from the start and you didn’t even tell me!!!”
“Aiko!” Yuki exclaimed.
“It’s true, isn’t it? You and Kaji and Yuki knew the whole time, and you hid it from me. What, am I not a Star, Ran?!”
Ran finally turned around, looking straight at Aiko. His face was stern, yet it had an expression of understanding and sympathy.
“No, Aiko, Yuki did not know. As for Kaji, yes, he knew, but I told him not to tell either of you.”
“Why?” Aiko whispered.
“Because I had yet to find out what he can do. No, I didn’t know prior to Kaji’s report that Kamui’s memory, in fact, was not erased. Yes, I knew he could see the unvisible. But, I had thought you knew that, too.” When Aiko’s eyebrows furrowed in cofusion, Ran continued. “Don’t you remember? There were countless times when Kamui would point out dark people to you…yet you do not see them. It had been happening all his life: seeing minors. Why, the day the minors attacked you, he saw them, didn’t he? Yuki was able to eliminate them since Kamui pointed them out behind the trees…”
—0—
“Something wrong, Kamui?”
“Someone’s watching us…” he whispered.
“Where?” Aiko whispered as well.
“By that tree over there…”
Aiko followed his line of vision, but saw no one. “I don’t see him…”
“What?” Kamui looked at Aiko, but then turned to the trees again. “He’s still there, don’t you see him?”
“No…”
—0—
“THAT was a minor?” Aiko breathed.
“Do not worry, Aiko. The Roses don’t have him, and they don’t want him, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“They want Kamui dead. That’s all.”
Aiko felt her knees shake. She was there when he fell. She saw him motionless on the ground. And she saw Kamui’s lifeline go straight, causing her to fly out of the hospital. But still…
Kamui.
Dead.
The words didn’t make sense in Aiko’s brain…
“No, he can’t be…” Aiko whispered, blinking back the tears threatening to fall. No, she wasn’t gong to cry. There had to be a way to get him back. So there was no reason to cry, was there? She gulped, then looked up at Ran.
“Can’t we do anything, Ran-sama?”
“No.” was his definite reply.
“Why not? You took ME in when I died, right?”
“We have reasons why we won’t take him,” Ran answered. “The same way we had reasons to take you.”
“That’s right!” Aiko exclaimed, standing up. “You took me because you said I was smart…and because I had potential!”
Oh, no… Ran thought. Sometimes Aiko was too darn smart, he realized that now.
“Kamui is smart, sensei, you KNOW that! He’s smarter than me, even! And he’s got potential! He can see unvisible people, and he was quick enough to dodge Haruna’s attacks, and he can SENSE people, and his memory doesn’t get erased… What more potential do you need? Heck, I never got to do any of those stuff before I became a Star!”
Yuki looked at Ran. Aiko made total sense. What was keeping their sensei from getting Kamui?
“No, Aiko. It’s too dangerous for him to be a Star.”
“Why so?” Aiko asked stubbornly. No way she was going to let Kamui die without her fighting for him.
“Aiko…” Ran started, sighing.
“Please, Ran-sama, he’s my best friend. He means too much to me to let him go just like that,” Aiko pleaded, once again close to tears. “I’ll do anything to get him back. Please…”
Ran sighed again. He rarely won arguments like this with Rieka, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to win this one with Aiko.
Darn.
————–
Next on Blue Star:
Aiko gets a taste of life as she knew it several months before. No minors collecting, and no Rose attacking. Too perfect? Definitely. So, by the end of the day, a new foe appears… or is it?
“LOOK OUT!!!”
Episode 12: Clueless
