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sadisticsmiles · 6 years

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Beyond a Thief’s Power Episode 12

Bundles of Stress

Inside of what appeared to be a Japanese-style home, Sayuri was standing in front of a scroll that read: "Under the blue sky, the power to heal is near but far. Yet, it is obtained through many sources."

"It's not as easy as anyone thinks," the orange-haired magician noted. There seemed to be something on her mind, but she did not let on much about it. She stared at the scroll for a few more seconds. "...I better go now. It's about time I meet up with them."

She turned around, bringing herself to the other world that awaited her, disappearing from Neon. She soon appeared inside Le Renard Noir with a sitting position and landed on one of the chairs near the bar counter. Her wings had also showed themselves again with a gentle movement, and vanished afterward. The guys and Rina had been busy setting the table up with reheated plates and dishes of food, and took notice of Sayuri's elegant arrival within a short amount of time.

"Uwa!" Kenshi's shouted in a surprised tone of voice. "Sayuri?!"

"Looks like you made it after all," Riki smiled in a pleasant manner. Something was a bit different about his usual sense of hospitality, though.

Takuto glanced at the firefighter. "Why are you so surprised? She told us she was going to be here, didn't she? There's really no need for you to get riled up at a time like this, Kenny."

"I-I know!" Kenshi stuttered. "I was just... a little out of it, okay?" His cheeks were clouded with pink blushes that made him look somewhat cute in a boyish way. "Not like I meant anything that would be a big deal, but it just happened."

Rina smiled when she saw her best friend. "Did you get your wound all healed up at home?"

Sayuri nodded. "It's not like I could get a scar from leaving it untreated, but it felt nice to be back in Neon. I suppose you went back home?"

"Well, I kind of had to," Rina smiled. She felt somewhat awkward when she brought her words up. "Mom was giving me stuff to bring to Le Renard Noir since I'm staying here. I moved out of my old apartment in this world and gave it away for free. It's always nice to be in our world again for a change, but I’m not sure about Riki over there." She turned her head to her left, looking at the government official who was sitting at the table the majority of the group was going to have their dinner at. "He's been like that for a while, so sulking's his specialty sometimes. On the other hand, he’s probably controlling his urge to drink while Mitsuki-san’s not right by him. They're always joined together by the hip, so there’s a disheartening atmosphere he emits when they're apart occasionally."

Sayuri blinked. "Like Takuji and Asuka? They're so in love that it makes the human girl living with them in Roppongi annoyed by watching their interactions with each other. What was her name? Kirie Kuroki? It's rare to see humans with vibrant eye and hair colors. But there's a dot in the center of both her eyes."

"Yeah," Takuto breathed. He was still as indifferent as ever. "That's called a pupil. Some people have a more prominent one in both of their eyes in this world, but magicians don't have them, do they?"

"That's because we're beautiful people," Sayuri replied as she turned her head toward Takuto. "Our eyes are fine the way they are."

The programmer smirked. "So I take it the girl you mentioned isn't good enough to compare to you guys because she can't land on your standards?"

"In a way, yes," the orange-haired girl agreed. "But I don't mean that she isn't attractive enough for human men in the looks department by her appearance. I get bothered by her pupils, or so you call them."

"I believe we'll be able to get along." Takuto continued to grin before giving a lighthearted smile. "Why don't you sit down with us? We could all eat together."

Hiro's eyes widened with an astonished look. "What's this? Takkun's actually being friendly to someone?"

"And not just anyone," Kenshi added. "He's being nice to Sayuri who's a girl. This is such a rare moment, I should have had my phone out to take a photo of his smile."

Sayuri tilted her head to her right side. "Is that a bad thing? We were only conversing with one another like anyone would. Don't take it the wrong way. I know your people tend to jump to conclusions, specifically with interactions between opposite sexes, but there's no need to bring up anything unnecessary." She looked up at Takuto and said, "Sorry, but I'll just sit by myself. I don't want to intrude on your dinner." She reached into the atmosphere with her left hand, which appeared to have vanished into thin air. It was definitely in an invisible pocket Takuto had taken note of before. Soon, Sayuri's hand came back out from her pocket and she was holding onto a glass cup with a cover on it; a white straw was right next to it as she held both objects near her. "Itadakimasu." She inserted the straw into the opening of the lid and took a drink of her beverage. Inside, there were clear but small spheres, and the beverage was indubitably a magnificent sight to Hiro and the other guys. Riki did not look like he was going to quit sulking, on the other hand.

"Wow, that's so cool," Hiro complimented the drink with sparkling eyes. "The drink and balls are clearer than lychee..."

Kenshi gaped at the glass. "Like a snow globe."

"More like a glittery diamond," Takuto commented.

While Rina smiled at the three of them, Sayuri blinked twice with her mouth on the straw. She stopped sucking up the transparent liquid shortly afterward. Pulling her lips away, she answered them. "They are diamonds."

"Huh?" Hiro was perplexed along with Takuto and Kenshi.

"Like I said," Sayuri continued, "The balls and the juice are diamonds. The balls themselves have solid coating like ice, but are more like a crystal. They're also very edible and delicious. I guess you can say when I'm drinking this it’s similar to when you restore your vital energy with water, since most of your bodies are made of it."

Hiro smiled, getting the gist of it. "So it's basically how a magician's body, blood and heart are made out of gemstones? I see. You're drinking that juice to refill your stamina and whatnot while you're here." He laughed, closing his eyes at the same time before reopening them. "I'm such a dummy; how could I not realize this sooner? Of course there were gemstones in there!"

Takuto sighed, looking down. "I feel like we all are for not remembering magician logic. Even the pocket is there for all of them!"

"Man, do I feel stupid," Kenshi belittled himself. "I haven't thought about any magician facts in a while when I could have."

"Don't feel too bad about it, Kenshi. It's not like you're going to die or anything," Rina assured with soothing encouragement. "You can do better when it comes to gaming, anyway."

Kenshi sweat-dropped. Then, he closed his eyes. "In real life, you mean. I had a hard time trying to escape from that anatomical model in one of the classrooms." He opened his eyes and sighed stressfully. "Do you know how many times I died trying during my current replay of the game?"

"Forty-two times?" Takuto guessed. "I'm not surprised."

Kenshi's eyes were ready to pop out from the sockets holding them in place. "How did you know? I didn't even say anything yet!"

"It's the meaning of life, Kenny," Takuto retorted. "If you want to live after dying in the game, you gotta aim for that number. That's why that game's a troll in the first place."

Again, Sayuri cocked her head to her right. "What game is this?"

"Oh, it's Mutilation Party1," Hiro answered. "It's one of Kenny's favorite horror RPG games for the PC, but got a remake for the GSP2 which has been renamed to Repeated Tale of Dread3. It's where a group of high school students and their homeroom teacher assistant are suddenly transported to another dimension that takes the form of an elementary school that used to be where their high school currently stands. It's full of gore and is also pretty gruesome. Anyway, let's eat together, Sayuri. You look so isolated by yourself." He grabbed Sayuri's free hand, escorting her to the table.

"Wait, Hiro—" Before she could completely object to the notion of sitting and dining with the Black Foxes, she was quickly taken to the table and was seated between Rina (on her right) and Hiro (on her left), placing her drink on the table in front of the orange-haired college student.

Atsumu dropped by with a delighted smile on his face. "The more the merrier, right? It's nice to have more company at the bar if I do say so myself. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sayuri. I'm Atsumu Kashiwabara. I'm like the guys' caretaker since I've looked after them when they were kids. I don't participate in the missions as much as I used to, but feel free to help them in their times of need. I'm counting on ya!" He beamed with glee like he was already high on laughing gas. It was even funny; although, no one really had an urge to spring out giggles.

Sayuri, Takuto, and Riki were the ones who could not find any humor from seeing the wavy-haired brunet's happy visage, and Sayuri froze in place. "..." Her expression was as stiff as a piece of cardboard when held in place. Within a matter of seconds, a blast of heat came to and from her face, giving it a bright red color, and her eyes began to spin counterclockwise. "Th-There's another human male here?!" Shortly afterward, she fainted, plopping on to Rina's left arm.

With the others (except for Rina and Takuto) stunned to see Sayuri collapse, Takuto said, "Hey, look. She died because of Beardy. That's new."

Peering into Sayuri's face from their seats, Kenshi and Hiro articulated simultaneously, "So cute..."

"Ahhh~!" Hiro squealed with ecstasy. "Can I wait until she wakes up so we can eat together? She's just too adorable to leave alone! I'm practically dying here!" He was putting in his best effort not to move around too much in his seat.

Riki stopped eating and placed his chopsticks down on his celadon green bowl. His eyes had been closed after the orange-haired magician had her own black out. He then opened them with a strict stare directed towards the youngest group member. "Hiro, quit looking at Sayuri's face and get back to eating. Your food will get colder each second you delay the process. Don't be childish at a time like this. You're an adult, which means you have to act like one. Therefore, do what you're told before going off to play." That was all the leader of the Black Foxes said before picking up his chopsticks once more, and going back to finish his meal. It didn't take long for him to complete the task of consuming his food and downing a glass of water. "Thanks for the meal." He stood up and picked up his dishes, setting them down in the kitchen sink. Next, he washed them quietly, dried them off with a towel, and put them back on the rack in which they belonged. Once that was over, he walked upstairs and went to the room he was staying in, sliding the door behind him.

Hiro pouted. "Riki's such a meanie. He's so unlike his typical self without Mitsuki around to keep him on a leash. Bummer."

Kenshi smiled gently. "Look on the bright side. It's not like he doesn't care about any of us. He's just really attached to Saionji. That's all it is."

"It goes to show that Riki's a kid himself," Atsumu proclaimed. "On the contrary, love is a powerful thing, even when you've been with the person you love for a long time. Nine years have already passed by, and before you know it, they'll be together for a whole decade. Each moment you spend with your lover is precious, and Riki's sending signals to everyone about how much he loves Mitsuki. Let him be. He had to let go of her hand so she can cook and help out with LRN. She'll be back in no time at all."

Hiro had puppy dog eyes as he looked at Atsumu. "I hope so. Mitsuki's presence tends to balance things out for all of us." His expression reverted back to normal in an instant. "See, women are so powerful. While Riki can lift a cupboard, Mitsuki has the ability to pick it up and throw it at a target. It makes me wish I could give him a piece of my mind with that."

Rina smiled as she glanced at the youth. "You don’t need to be stronger than Riki in terms of physical ability, Hiro. He hasn't done anything to deserve a fist fight, and he's not someone who would want you to waste the time you have to fill your stomach when it's empty, so it probably can't be helped that he had a harsh tone towards you. I'm sure Sayuri would've said something similar to Riki's words."

"Speaking of which," Atsumu brought up, "we should probably get her to bed. I'll save her drink in the fridge."

Kenshi grinned. "She'll like it better if it's cool, right?"

Takuto stared at said beverage. "Man, those diamonds are tough. They're not melting."4

"I'll go take Sayuri up to the room I stay in during the daytime whenever I’m here," Rina told the guys. She looked at the resting magician. "She's likely to be out for an hour or two, but she'll be fine. Boss only startled her a bit since she it's possible she didn't expect him to be part of our team." The blonde magician stood up from her seat, holding onto her best friend's body, carrying her like a princess or bride and taking her upstairs.

Takuto looked down. "That's not fair, and the drink's still on the table."

"Maybe you'll get another chance later," Hiro said. "It just wasn't the right time with Sayuri being knocked out."

"Whatever," Takuto mumbled, "It's not like I have any feelings for Rina anymore."

Kenshi laughed with a broad grin. "Hahaha! As if. You're totally heads over heels for her." He looked at the hacker of their band of thieves in the eyes and continued to smile with a lighter touch. "It's not like you two forgot about that kiss you shared a few days ago. You should be more honest about it since you're the one who planted your true feelings on her lips."

"Now you're just teasing me," Takuto grimaced.

"Hey, you deserved it," the firefighter threw back.

The hacker had to give in to that comment. Witnessing the other three go on with their lovely banter, Atsumu smiled silently, enjoying the time they spent together, but also noticed Takuto's soft smile and felt at peace.

So Takkun can smile after all when it comes to being cornered about his true feelings for Rina, he thought. Perhaps, they can both overcome the obstacles ahead of them and find comfort in one another the more their love shows. I would like them to resume from where they left off years ago, and become connected with the touch of their hands once again.

XXX

Later that night, Sayuri woke up in one of the spare rooms and saw Rina's visage in front of her, as if the latter were in deep thought. Without another moment passing by, the blonde smiled contently while she was still sitting on her lower legs.

"Looks like you're faring finely now," she told her best friend. "You've been out of it for some time. How about I bring your drink up for you?"

"What about you?" the orange-haired magician asked. “You didn’t go home after I fainted. I would’ve been fine if someone like Hiro or Takuto looked after me. I don’t need Mitsuki-san or Riki to, and I don’t trust the brunets in your group.”

Rina nodded. "We’re best friends, Sayuri. You’ve done more for me than I’ve ever done for you."

Sayuri sat up. "…Your circumstances and life are significant to my presence in this world, but I won’t abandon the things I’ve come to do for all the other magicians." At that time, she moved out of the bed away from where Rina was. She then faced the bed and smoothed out the sheets and pillow before she slid the door to step out in to the hallway. Hiro was about to slide it himself, and was caught by surprise when he saw the orange-haired magician; he was holding Sayuri's beverage in his right hand. Sayuri felt a sensation of gratitude flowing into her body as she stared at the young man who was under her age. "Hiro."

Hiro's smile did not waver as he gazed back into the Magician of Fate's eyes. "Yeah. I wanted to see how you were doing, so I’m glad you’re awake and feeling better. Boss said he’s sorry for giving you a scare at the table."

Rina glanced at the orange-haired pairing over her right shoulder and smiled gently, but faintly. Afterward, she faced the bed once again, and took her yellow and light brown cell phone out from her invisible pocket; the yellow portion was a strip in the middle while the light brown framed most of the area apart around the former color. The device gave a silent flip open for Rina to message someone in particular: Takuto’s name appeared on the screen.

To: Takuto Hirukawa

Subject: Leaving the Human World

Takuto, I’m going home for the rest of the night. I’ll message you again soon.

Rina stood up and teleported back to Neon, leaving Hiro and Sayuri to continue conversing.

Meanwhile, Kenshi and Takuto were in a separate bedroom. The spiky-haired brunet looked and smiled at his roommate, who had his fossil gray5 cell phone out. "Whatcha staring at on your phone, Takuto?"

Takuto did not return his friend's gaze, only stared at the phone. "Rina just messaged me."

Kenshi smiled, pleased with the response. "Wow. I haven’t heard you say that in a while. In fact, none of us have."

Takuto's eyes lowered with a hint of depression and sadness. "Even so, it's not like she's shown that she loves me. It’s only a message about her going home."

“Haha, what are you getting so disappointed for?” the spiky-haired brunet laughed. “You know what they say: Women are supposed to be mysterious. Us guys can’t figure out what’s on their minds!”

Kenshi frowned, entering his mind with thoughts that could not be spoken. Now that I think about it, I wonder how Sayuri feels. Is she interested in any guys right now? He was already blushing, but shook his head quickly. Maybe she’s still asleep. What should I do when I see her tomorrow? I don't think I'll be able to speak to her properly!

"Oh, and Hiro's girlfriend is doing well, if you're wondering," Takuto glanced at the flustered man. It seemed as if the twenty-four-year-old was back to his aloof self.

Kenshi was surprised. "Hiro has a girlfriend? Since when?"

"Kenny, you're so dense," the computer genius commented. "It should be as plain as day to you."

"Huh?" Kenshi didn't understand what Takuto meant, but it wasn't nothing. There had to be something behind the light blond's statement. However, he couldn't figure the answer out.

XXX

Rina was back home in Neon. Her mother, Mami Tokuhara, saw her appear in her (Rina's) bedroom. Said parent was also holding onto a light green laundry basket filled with her daughter's clothes, and had the same long blonde hair tied into a single low ponytail, but the hair length was longer and went past to her knees; she also had eyes the color of persimmons and a youthful appearance for her age since she was immortal [as all magicians were].

"Ara? You're home early," she said, puzzled at her daughter's return. "I thought you were going to stay at Le Renard Noir for a while."

Rina looked at her mom, turning her head to her left. "It’s a bit complicated, but I’ll be going back and forth soon."

"Well, are you hungry?" Mami inquired with the same expression. "Spending time in the Human World drains us of our powers and capacities to stay there for long, after all."

"I'm fine for now, Mom," Rina replied. “I’ll have dinner once I’m through with what I need to do.”

Mami placed the laundry basket on Rina's bed. She was staring at her daughter's clothes and began to fold each and every article from shirts to pants, skirts, dresses, and underwear. "How is Takuto doing these days?"

Rina's shoulders dropped slowly and she looked at the floor with a dispirited expression on her face. "I don't know anymore... It's hard for me to be around him since I went back to the Human World. He's not the same person he used to be, but..." An array of emotions shimmered in her eyes. "He really takes me by surprise."

I had no intention of seeing him again, but when it comes down to it, I really do love Takuto, she admitted to herself. More than anything and everyone else, he's the most important person in my life. I wonder if I'll be able to tell him how I feel about him again. It's been a few years since I said those special words. What makes me sad is that he keeps letting the things other people say to him get to him and denies them. I wish he would at least say how he feels around everyone else like how he used to.

She thought back to a short memory from a few years ago, to which the days were still warm and loving through the year.

~June 16, 2003~

It was a summer day back then. It had been two months and two days since Takuto and Rina started their romantic relationship with one another. Everyone was gathered inside Le Renard Noir, and they were helping out with the customers due to the amount of heat outside. The air conditioner was on full blast, but the blazing torridness didn't consummately dissipate from their skin.

Rina walked over to a table and was wearing the restaurant's uniform, while carrying a tray with a glass of iced tea on it and a bowl of katsudon. Once she arrived at the destined table, she set the drink and food down in front of the elderly man sitting there.

"Here you go," she smiled brightly; her smile flattered her pale skin that seemed to shine beautifully. "I hope you enjoy your meal."

The older man reciprocated the blonde's smiled and closed his eyes with satisfaction. "Thank you for always giving everyone your kind service, Rina-chan. If you weren't taken, I would have asked you to be my granddaughter-in-law."

Rina gave an eye smile. "What are you talking about? Your grandson already has a girlfriend. I couldn't possibly do something that defies my code of conduct. Otherwise, I would be a disgrace to my family. You should know by now that having feelings for a man who has a lover and going behind said lover's back with the same male is a felony for female magicians, and vice versa for male ones."

An arm wrapped around Rina's waist. It was Takuto who had a confident smirk and unlike his present self, he wasn't showing any snippy behavior with it. "Rina's heart belongs to me. She can't date anyone else, so she can only be friends with other guys. I won't let someone steal her away because her type is right here."

The old man opened his eyes, looking at both of them with light brown ones. Then, he chortled. "Hahaha! Is that so?" The laughter soon transformed into a concerned expression. "But Takuto-kun, Rina-chan's not suited for you, as well. Not only is she twelve days older than Hiro-kun, she’s a magician. It would be a bad occurrence if her parents found out about your relationship since she's still a minor, and at the age of seventeen! You're already in college, and she's still in high school. She hasn't turned eighteen yet, so she has to graduate from high school first, doesn't she? Aren't you two breaking the laws in her world? I'm worried something may happen to her if word gets out about it to the other magicians."

"Don't worry!" Hiro beamed as he went to the table. "Takkun will protect Rina at all costs! You can believe in him, so everything'll be A-okay!"

Riki smiled mildly. "Like our little mascot said, things will be fine for the both of them. As long as we can convince Rina's parents to approve of them dating, nothing will go wrong."

Hiro frowned, discouraged by the government official's first sentence. He turned his head to his right. "Hey! I'm the one who introduced Takkun to Rina, so why do I have to be the mascot?"

"Hehe. Isn't that what you are?" Takuto snickered evilly. "You're the one who looks like a little kid, and you're the youngest. Doesn't that title belong to you, anyway?"

The orange-haired high school student puffed his cheeks out. "Takkun, you're so mean! I can't believe I was on your side."

"Well, you are cute in everyone's eyes, Hiro," Kenshi stated. "It can't be helped that you're put on the spot."

It wasn't getting any better for the youth. "Kenny, not you too!"

Mitsuki came over and patted Hiro's head with her left hand. "Heehee! You're so adorable, Hiro. I don't think anyone could resist fawning over you." Her hair was longer, reaching to the middle of her lower legs.

Atsumu also joined in on the agreement with a nod, and his left hand was curled in. "You could work here forever after going off and finishing your college years. I'd love to have a full house every day after you attract more customers here. You can even bring a girlfriend if you'd like."

"That's not what I care about right now!" Hiro cried out in comical exasperation. "I don't want to be seen as a cute candidate for a mascot! I'd rather be known as an awesome and handsome young man!"

Everyone in Le Renard Noir burst out laughing when they heard that. The members of the Black Foxes and even the customers were amused by Hiro's desire to further mature his appearance. After catching their breaths, Rina and Takuto glanced at each other and smiled tenderly. Then they laughed again. Hiro felt embarrassed and awkward to be in the Le Noir Renard—so much that he ran out in tears. Atsumu and Kenshi sprinted after him, with Atsumu exclaiming, "Hiro, come back!," and Kenshi shouting, "Yeah! We didn't mean it!" Simultaneously, they said shortly afterward, "We're sorry!"

"Stay away from me!" Hiro was so fast he was out of sight in less than a minute.

The two brunets could not find him and had to give up on their chase. They felt bad for the humiliation the orange-haired member went through, and returned to the bar, waiting for him along with the others.

XXX

Back in the present, Rina closed her eyes and gave out a sigh.

"I really miss those times," she began.

Mami looked at her and tilted her head. "What's wrong? Do you want to go on a date with Takuto like you used to?"

Rina lifted her head and gazed back at her mother. "Yes, but I wasn't thinking of that."

"And?" The woman folding her daughter's laundry blinked once. "When are you two getting back together? It's been three years since your father and I received permission from Haonowa-sama to remit your punishment. Kousuke-sama was also there to plead for you to be excused. You know how compassionate he is. He couldn't have forsaken a fellow magician who loves Neon. Asking his grandmother6 to reconsider it was something he could do for you since he also knows the feeling of loving someone."

Rina nodded. "I know. It's not like I've forgotten but to ask a question like that, don't you think you should give me more time to reply to you? It's not like I don't want to get back together with Takuto; it's not as simple as you think, Mom."

Mami frowned. "Since when did you become so hesitant about your feelings? It's like you've changed all of a sudden."

In an instant, the kiss Takuto placed on her lips came to her mind, and Rina blushed. "D-Don't remind me of the reason!" Rina's eyes widened further when she saw what her mom was holding. "And this a bad time to be folding that!"

Mami's hands were softly gripping a single piece of light pink panties which were also lacy. She glanced at Rina with an unmoving expression. "It's only your underwear. I don't understand why I can't handle your laundry at a time like this. Besides, Katsurou isn't in here at the moment, so there's no need to get flustered about it. You must be thinking too much about Takuto that you've become stranger than before." She went back to folding the clothing that were still undone.

Rina was still flushed as she averted her eyes to her left without a movement from her head. "...I’m going back to the Human World now."

True to her words to her mother, Rina teleported back to the other side. She appeared downstairs in Le Renard Noir where it was dark. At a table, she sat down on a chair and took her flip phone out to type another message.

To: Takuto Hirukawa

Subject: Come Downstairs

Takuto, I came back. I’ll be waiting at one of the tables.

Takuto immediately saw his ex’s text, closed his phone, and glanced at Kenshi. “I’ll be back.”

The spiky-haired brunet blinked twice. “Where are you going?”

“I can’t say,” was all that came out of Takuto’s mouth before he stepped out and closed the sliding door. He was not in a rush, but he was calm and walked down the stairs to the first floor of the building. Once he was all the way down, he saw Rina’s back on his right and travelled to the other side of the table she was at, so they would be across from one another. Before he took a seat, he glanced at the table and saw a bronze, thick book and Rina’s full name on the cover. He stared at it for a few seconds, glanced back at Rina, who was already gazing at him, and finally sat down. “What’s this?”

“My book,” the blonde magician replied.

What’s with the short answer? Takuto thought.

Rina breathed slowly. “Takuto, our meeting here is for the sake of our roles as members of the Black Foxes. If we’re going to work on progressing forward,” she placed her left hand on the book, “you and I must prove our partnership to each other.”

“With your book,” the light blond flatly commented. “We’re already partners. Does it really take more than the words we’ve shared to each other after you came back?”

Rina added, “It’s because we’re partners that I want to do something to help out more.” A soft but small smile appeared on her face. “Since I came back to this world, I’ve done nothing to protect you and everyone else. I—“

“That’s not true,” Takuto cut his ex’s words off. “You’ve always been the one to protect all of us. In the past, it was always you who kept us from getting in trouble.”

Trouble with the missions and Neon, the light blond thought.

“We could’ve died several times before,” he continued, “but with you back with us, we were saved from death again during our missions. Yet, you’ve become weaker than when you left years ago. I don’t know what happened during our time apart, but I…” His gaze was more intense; there was something that had to be conveyed. Yet, he could not for the sake of lifting Rina’s burden of the love he held for her.

The magician gazed back in wonder. “…Takuto?”

The light blond looked down in response. “It’s nothing.”

Rina’s eyes continued to be fixated on her partner. But then… She gradually reached her left hand and arm towards the programmer, and held onto the back of his right one. Takuto looked back up at his ex-girlfriend in a somewhat astonished manner.

As they gazed again into each other’s eyes, Rina began to blush a bit. “Uh, I…” Once more, the memory of their last kiss flowed into her mind and her eyelids slightly raised. Yet, she reminded herself of her objective as a member of the Black Foxes, specifically of her role as Takuto’s partner. She glanced own at her book, pulled her left hand away, and placed it on the item before returning to look at the man in front of her with her flustered state. “A-Anyhow, I took my Book of Neon out to combine it with your laptop, Takuto. This book is what every magician has since their birth along with their cell phones, but these two items start a process of manifestation once the magician is conceived. As with many books, the purpose of the Book of Neon is to store information; however, the events are summarized. The cell phones contain memories along with information, but my book is the best option for aiding us. After all, communication other than telepathy is much appreciated7.”

“I see,” Takuto answered.

I was sort of hoping for something else to happen between us, he thought.

“Guess I have no other choice,” the light blond agreed to the procedure. “Let’s begin.”

Rina smiled; her blush had gone away by then. “Okay.”

As though their connection to one another had some unthinkable effect, the programmer’s laptop had teleported from the room he and Kenshi were lodging in, and appeared next to Takuto’s right hand and Rina’s Book of Neon. Takuto’s eyes widened while Rina smiled again. Simultaneously, the book and laptop resonated together emanating the sound of a heartbeat, and a yellow light glowed and encased from within and around them. Rina moved her hand away and they slid into the other—or rather, it seemed the motion was the laptop absorbing the entire book. Then, the former ceased in the center and the yellow light dissipated.

“Now,” the blonde magician spoke, “it’ll be easier for you to access the database.”

Takuto had been staring at the whole fusion process and felt amazement from it. His laptop gained a new source of knowledge waiting inside of it for him. The euphoria whelping up in his boy was because of Rina, the young woman he had an inseparable bond with. He turned his head toward her. “Thanks, Rina.” It was a rare sight, but he smiled with a fond facial expression that showed his serene eyes. He extended his right hand out and placed it on the Magician of Power’s head. “I owe my life to you.”

Rina felt the attraction they shared and her shoulders relaxed to go with her softening smile. “Of course.”

I’ve finally done something worthwhile for Takuto, she thought.

XXX

Sayuri and Hiro were still seated next to one another on the bed inside the room the former had rested in when she finished her drink. The two of them stood up, and Hiro smiled.

"Well, I'll be heading to my room now," he said. He put his right hand up and showed his hand in a motionless wave. "Goodnight, Sayuri. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Sayuri nodded and Hiro went to his destination, sliding the door open and shutting it behind him. The Magician of Fate squeezed her left hand and the bottle shattered into several tiny pieces of glass, landing in a trash bin in Neon.

Soon, Hiro was lying on the spacious bed in the room he was lodging in. He was on his right side next to the wall and giggled with a comfortable expression; the lights were turned off and the room was dimly lit by the moonlight from the slight crevices of the closed-curtain window.

"Ah, it feels so nice and cool," he commented while hugging the pillow his head was on with outstretched arms. "I'd like it to be this cold every time I stayed over here! Mm~." Just as he said that, he heard and felt something going into his sheets like the sound of a bird flapping their wings mixed with the lifting of the very same bedsheets. He opened his eyes gradually and saw Sayuri laying next to him; she was on her left side and her eyes were shut peacefully to fit the expression on her face. Astonished by her appearance, Hiro lifted his head and arms from his pillow a bit, and his eyes widened as he whispered, "Sayuri?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be sleeping in the other room that's between where Kenny and Takuto are staying in and my room?"

Sayuri opened her eyes. "I wanted to stay with you tonight, Hiro. Out of everyone else, I feel at ease with you the most. Am I not allowed to be with you?" Her voice was soft when she confessed those words.

It was innocently charming and adorable how Sayuri wanted to be with him, and Hiro could not agree any less.

The younger man blushed. "W-Well... It's not like you can't sleep here, but if the others find out, they'll... misunderstand the situation."

"If that happens, I'll tell them it was because I was lonely," Sayuri replied.

Hiro put his head on his pillow and gazed at the magician by his side. "Really?"

"Un," Sayuri confirmed. "After all, I actually felt that way." She closed her eyes haggardly. "Goodnight, Hiro." Immediately, she drifted off to sleep, silently breathing.

Hiro felt his heart pounding as he looked at her visage. She was truly a beauty to behold.

Kenny's right, he thought. Sayuri really is a beautiful girl. Up close like this, I would had never known the real exquisiteness that she emits if she hadn't exposed her true appearance the night we went to get the cymophane. Rather than her look from when she worked at the café, the sides of her I never saw before until now don't feel as false as back then, and it warms my heart to see her the way she is, instead of the front she's had to put on in order to play the role of a girl who's unlike her character. I believe I finally understand that about her... A smile formed on his drowsy face. And there's something I just realized about myself along with that. How could I have not figured it out before? Kenny, you're a genius during the worst times, you know that? I should've said it sooner—that I...

His sleepiness soon caught up to him, cutting him off from finishing his thoughts.

XXX

The hours flew by and it was 7:45 a.m. that morning. Atsumu strolled down the hallway after washing his face, brushing his teeth, and arranging everything else in place for his facial appearance. He felt refreshed and was in a jolly mood as he went to wake everyone up, starting with Hiro. It didn't take a long walk before he was in front of the sliding doors to the college student's room. He knocked with the back of his left hand.

"Hiro~, are you awake?" he chimed. "It's almost time for me to prepare breakfast. Would you like to help me with getting everything ready?"

There was no answer, indicating that the youth was probably still asleep in his bed.

"Guess it can't be helped," the wavy-haired brunet smiled. Without another moment's haste, he slid the door open, and was shocked by what he saw.

Hiro was still in bed, of course. But he wasn't alone. Sayuri was lying next to him, and they were sleeping tranquilly next to one another. This unfortunately caused a misleading thought to manifest in Atsumu's mind.

"Hiro..." The thirty-five-year-old felt crushed on the inside.

Shinobu, he called to his late wife, our little boy's... become a delinquent. He's finally snuck a girl into bed with him. What do I do to fix this? Act and pretend it's nothing? Yeah, I think I'll do that. I'll just... make breakfast in the kitchen as always.

He turned around and walked away from Hiro's temporary room. Then, he slid the door shut as to not disturb the "lovebirds." The only thing he was blind to was the obvious fact that fabrics of clothing could be seen on Hiro and Sayuri’s bodies the time he saw them lying together.

XXX

1) A shout out to Corpse Party. With the remake Kenshi mentions, I'm just making the name for it up even though I know the remake is the PSP version of the game.

2) An obvious rename I did for the PSP; it was inspired by the slight name change seen in some of the anime, manga, video games, and visual novels I've watched, read and played/seen.

3) The remake for Mutilation Party is a shout out to Corpse Party Blood Covered: …Repeated Fear.

4) Takuto’s observation is straightforward and adds another fact to my magician logic in the story, as the clear balls do not melt like ice cubes.

5) I chose this particular color to match with Takuto’s pessimism.

6) Magicians refer to their grandmothers with the word sobo (祖母).

7) Rina means that she enjoys the convenience of having a cell phone.

#Takuto Hirukawa #Hiro Sarashina #Kenshi Inagaki #Riki Yanase #Atsumu Kashiwabara #love letter from thief x #LLFTX #voltage fanfic #voltage fanfics #voltage inc.

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