“I hope so.”
She let him lead her to the cafeteria and through the line. Reiji grabbed some snacks and a soda, while Aoi just bought juice. Then the blonde led her to a table where Tatsuo’s gang was already starting to gather.
The boys talked amongst themselves while they ate, and Aoi was happy to listen. The cafeteria didn’t seem so overwhelming when she had friends to focus on. However, they all fell silent when a tall, dark-haired boy walked up to their table. Tatsuo.
Aoi looked up at him with uncertainty in her eyes. “Senpai . . . About earlier . . .”
He took a seat next to her and opened his package of yakisoba bread. “What about it?”
“You were really mad earlier so I was wondering if—”
“If I was still angry?”
She nodded.
“I’m fine now. Don’t worry about me.” He ruffled her hair with a small smile. Apparently everything about earlier was forgotten, or perhaps forgiven, and Aoi was grateful for that.
Still, things were a little tense. Tatsuo’s gang was probably wondering just what had happened their boss and Aoi this morning, and the two had no desire to even talk about it. Even the spirits avoided the tension, going a short distance away to hold their own private conversation. They, at least, seemed to be getting along better.
Finally, one of the boys broke the silence. Sagawa. “You know, we should hang out again sometime, since we didn’t all hang out over Golden Week.”
He winked at Aoi.
Aoi smiled. They couldn’t have since Aoi didn’t know them back then. She’d like to spend time with the guys without getting distracted like last time, maybe show them who’s boss in the arcade. She was great at gaming, after all.
Tatsuo, however, wasn’t as thrilled. He rolled his eyes. “You don’t know if we’re all free.”
Sagawa grinned cheerfully at Tatsuo. He wouldn’t let his boss ruin his good mood so easily. “But we could be free sometime.”
Tatsuo just shrugged. No words accompanied the gesture this time.
“Maybe we could go back to the arcade,” Aoi suggested.
Some of the boys leaned forward. Aoi had caught their attention.
“Yeah? You think so, Arisawa?” Reiji asked.
Aoi smiled sheepishly and shrugged. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Even if she had, she didn’t know the town well enough to make any decisions.
“Is it really not safe, though? That area?” That was her biggest concern. She didn’t want her dad to worry about her more than need be.
“It’s just fine,” Gorou said.
“Yeah. We go there when we got the time,” Reiji added.
Well, if they said it was safe, then it was fine.
“Perhaps it’s safe for them,” said Mulan, her voice echoing. Aoi looked up at where the spirt had been sitting before, but she wasn’t there. She must’ve returned to the gem. “But is it safe for you?”
Mulan was worried about her again, and for good reason. Aoi hadn’t thought about that. Akabori-senpai said he’d look after me and I believed him.
“Well, if you’re certain about that, then I suppose I cannot complain.”
There was a moment’s pause before Aoi and Mulan realized what just happened.
“Those were your thoughts! I should not be able to hear those!”
Aoi jumped. Tatsuo noticed, and raised an eyebrow. “You okay?”
“Yeah, fine.”
Tatsuo turned back to the boys’ conversation.
Aoi wasn’t sure if Mulan was right.
“How does it work? It should be impossible.”
It should have been, but apparently it wasn’t. Aoi tried replying without speaking again. Not sure. But apparently it works. She wondered if this was because her bond with Mulan had grown even stronger over time.
“Apparently,” Mulan agreed. “Now, please return to your meal and friends. I wouldn’t want to keep you.”
Plus, they could always talk later, when Aoi wasn’t with friends.
Chapter 14
At long last, it was finally time for another day off. That would be all good and well if she didn’t have to train. And she really didn’t want to either.
Aoi lay in bed, on her side, scrolling through the internet when she received a text. It was from Tatsuo. Curious, she opened it.
“Be careful,” it read. “Someone’s disappeared and people are thinking it’s a new gang. No details on who yet. But I haven’t heard of any new gangs from my contacts. Just be careful.”
Aoi nodded before realizing he couldn’t see that. She typed up a reply. “I will be. Hey, are you free today?”
The text came back quickly. “I am. Why?”
“I wondered if you wanted to train with me and Mulan.”
“Nah,” came his reply. “I’d rather train alone.”
Aoi didn’t understand. If they could train together, wouldn’t they learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses and be able to better help each other if things really did come down to it? But she decided not to ask. Instead, she just typed, “Okay. See you at school.”
“See you.”
Aoi didn’t text back.
Aoi groaned loudly. “Do we really have to do this?” Bare feet padded out onto cool, green grass. If she was going to do this, might as well be barefoot. It was a little more comfortable that way.
The woman took form a few paces ahead of her and nodded. “Yes, Arisawa-san. We have to. What if you get attacked? What do you plan on doing then?” The spirit marched forward, frustration vibrating off her words. “Someone has gone missing in your town. This is what the Linked are for and it’s my fault you’re not ready yet. You already don’t practice enough.”
Aoi flinched at her words. That wasn’t something she could argue with. Not that she had the time to practice. Between her studies, homework, and strange little social life, there was hardly any time for training.
That’s why Sundays existed. It was the only day she didn’t have to go to school, so she might as well make the most of it. No school. No homework. No studies. Just training. And lots of it.
“So? Do you have something specific in mind?” Mulan asked.
Yes, she did. Acting and reacting—that’s what Mulan had been telling her about the last few times. It was probably supposed to be simple, something Aoi could do on instinct. If only it was so simple. There was more to fighting than that. She had to be fluid. And she wasn’t very good at that, either.
Aoi gave a small shrug. “I’m still really choppy, aren’t I?”
Mulan grimaced. “Unfortunately, you’re right.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Figures as much.” Didn’t mean it didn’t hurt though.
“Is that what you want to focus on?”
Aoi nodded. “Yeah. I need to getter better at this. I just don’t know how.”
“Then summon your weapon.”
With a nod, Aoi did as told. The ring’s electric buzz tingled in her fingertips.
The woman moved over to the girl. Aoi stood straight, relaxed, yet rigid as a statue. After a moment, Mulan spoke. “Let me move you a little.”
What a weird thing to say. But Mulan knew far more about fighting than Aoi was sure she ever would. Aoi would give her the benefit of the doubt.
By the time Mulan was done with her, Aoi was turned slightly to the side, a small space between her feet. Her left arm rested with a small distance between her hand and hip. The back of her weapon hand was turned to face up, though her knuckles faced the spirit.
“This is how I want you to stand.”
Okay. Sounded easy enough. Aoi made a mental note of the positon.
Mulan took a similar pose. “I’ll go first.”
Mulan didn’t run at Aoi, she just walked. “Now, when most people get this close, they get ready to strike.” Mulan raised her hand and stopped walking. “This is where they’ll strike.”
“And I have to dodge?” Made sense.
Mulan nodded. “Watch th
e arm so you know where a close-range weapon is going to strike. Now, pivot.”
As Mulan’s arm came down, Aoi did as told. In moments, the woman was behind her.
“Excellent. Then you strike.”
Aoi tapped Mulan’s head. “Like that, but harder?”
Mulan nodded. “But never hit someone with a real weapon there. They could die. Rather, disable the arm holding the weapon”
Wait. What? She lowered her weapon arm. “Would they really die?” Her voice hardly left her throat, coming out as no more than a whisper.
“Most likely.”
“If we practiced with all our strength, would I be able to hurt you?” Aoi had to know so she could be careful. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to Mulan because of her.
Mulan paused to think, then sighed. “Perhaps. Would you intend to hurt me?”
“What? Of course not!”
“Then I doubt you would. Your weapon will only hurt those you intend to hurt.”
“But wouldn’t that mean if I didn’t really want to hurt someone, the ring would hurt less?” A real problem for someone who hated fighting. If it came down to it, Aoi didn’t want to be done in by her own kindness.
Mulan hesitated, staring at the grass as she thought. She sighed. “I don’t really know, Arisawa-san. But, if you only fight when need be, you will never have a reason not to want to hurt your enemy.”
That made sense. She didn’t want to accidentally kill someone. She didn’t think she’d be able to forgive herself if she did. But, if someone she cared about went missing, or got killed, because she didn’t try enough, that might be even worse.
“I want to make sure I’ve really, truly got this,” Aoi said.
“Then let us continue.”
Aoi nodded, moving to attack.
They practiced and practiced for hours, until Aoi could hardly stand. But she needed this. She needed the practice. There would never be enough. But she couldn’t practice any more today. She was too tired. Her breaths were heavy and her body ached. She flopped down on her back, trying to catch her breaths.
It took a few moments before she could finally rasp out a word. “Hua-san?”
“Yes, Arisawa-chan?”
“Did I . . . get any better?”
“You did, and you’ll improve more and more as time goes by.”
Aoi really hoped she was right. She didn’t want anyone else to disappear.
Chapter 15
Over the next week it was announced that a teacher, Mr. Yamamoto, had left the high school and hadn’t been seen by his family since. Besides the single, small news report on the incident, Aoi didn’t hear any more on the matter, though Mulan carefully watched the news to learn more.
Tatsuo took it especially hard.
“He was my teacher,” Tatsuo said, brows knit together in frustration.
“I’m sorry,” was all Aoi could think to say.
“I’m Linked. I should’ve been able to protect him. It’s my job, right—protecting people? Maybe if I’d been in class more, I could’ve done something.”
“That’s crazy. He wasn’t taken while he was teaching.”
Tatsuo shook his head. “I know. But, still . . .”
After two weeks, it seemed like everyone but the Linked had forgotten about the man. Tatsuo still roamed the streets looking for the guy after school, but had found nothing. Aoi offered to look with him a few times, but Tatsuo always told her not to. After a few times of being told no, Aoi just stopped asking.
May had faded into June, and June hyped up stress to eleven. The clock was ticking down to midterms.
To be honest, Aoi was a little worried. She wasn’t the brightest student, but she wasn’t stupid either. If she did her best, she was sure she could at least get to the middle of the scoreboard. She’d even taken good notes so far. She planned on reviewing them at least a little every day leading up to the exam. She’d definitely be ready then.
It was Tatsuo she was worried about. He came to school less and less lately. Sometimes he only came to walk her home. Sometimes he didn’t come at all.
“What is he thinking?” Aoi huffed as she packed her bag. Another day of school was over.
Sagawa shrugged. “He said he wants to get stronger. Wouldn’t tell me why though.” He offered her a smile. “Guess he really wants to keep you safe.”
“Guess so.”
She knew he was trying to comfort her, but it didn’t work. If Tatsuo and his spirit thought that the new gang was a serious enough threat, why weren’t they asking Aoi and Mulan to join them in training? She wasn’t as weak as he thought. Aoi had also been working hard to become stronger. She wouldn’t let Tatsuo down again.
“Is something going on between you two, Arisawa?” Sagawa asked.
“I guess you could say that.” But she couldn’t tell him about the gems. No one else needed to get involved.
“Aka-aniki’s changed, y’know?”
Those words caught her by surprise. “Has he?”
He nodded. “Not sure what it is, but he seems more . . .” He paused, trying to think of the right way to phrase it. “Open, I guess. I figured you had something to do with it.”
Aoi shrugged. “Maybe.”
But was Tatsuo really so different? He smiled a little more since they’d become friends, she guessed. And he called her by her name, too. But wasn’t that it?
She didn’t have long to think about it. Her thoughts were interrupted when a girl ran into the now-empty classroom.
She had a different school uniform on. Her outfit was brown with pink accents, not navy with white ones. She had to be from the junior high.
She looked familiar though. Aoi just couldn’t place where she’d seen the girl.
“Uh . . . Hi?” Talking to strangers wasn’t one of Aoi’s strong suits. “How can I help you?”
The girl beamed at Aoi. “It’s Onee-chan! Thank goodness you’re here!”
Onee-chan? Aoi didn’t have any sisters. None that she knew of, anyway.
Sagawa looked between the two of them. “Arisawa, you know this girl?”
“I’m not sure . . .”
“You don’t remember me, Onee-chan?”
And then it clicked. “You’re the girl I met the day before school!”
“And saved,” the girl reminded her.
The color drained from Aoi’s face. That’s right. The girl knew about the Linked. She knew Aoi was one of them. Mulan appeared by Aoi’s side, curious as well.
“Saved? Got some lily stuff going on there?” Sagawa teased.
Color rushed back to Aoi’s face, especially her cheeks. “What? Of course not!”
“My admiration for Onee-chan is too pure for that!” the girl added.
Sagawa just laughed and held his hands up defensively. “Now, now. I’m just kidding.”
Aoi folded her arms over her chest and looked away. “Not very funny.”
“Alright. I’m sorry, Arisawa,” he said. “Well, I’m headin’ out. Gotta practice, y’know?”
“Have fun,” Aoi said. “And be safe.”
“Yeah, I will.” He raised a hand in farewell, before slipping out the door.
Aoi turned back to the mystery girl. She stared at Aoi with large brown eyes filled with awe and excitement. It was a little overwhelming.
“So, you wanted to talk, um . . .”
“Momoka Nishihara. You ran away before I could tell you my name last time.”
Aoi laughed nervously. She’d wanted to avoid this girl’s questions, let alone the adoration she didn’t know she’d get. Too late for that now.
“But, yeah,” Momoka continued, bouncing up and down. “I really want to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?”
“Onee-chan, I’m just like you! I have a gem!”
School was the last place Aoi wanted to talk about this. Too many people. But where could they go? Aoi tried to think.
As if reading her mind, Momoka grabbe
d her hand. “I know just the place, Onee-chan.”
Turned out, the “perfect place” was a small café across the stress from the ramen shop, the same one Aoi had eaten at the day she met Momoka. Inside was a light pink, pastel world. Cute pastry designs covered the walls, tables, and ceilings. Actual pastries could be selected from a bar near the front of the café.
Aoi hugged herself while they waited in the pastry line. “So you’re . . .”
“Just like you, Onee-chan.” Momoka put some slices of cake on a tray.
“Linked.”
She nodded. “Linked.” Momoka brushed her brunette, shoulder-length hair away from the nape of her neck. There, a shiny pink jewel was nestled into her skin. She let her hair go and it fell back into place, perfectly hiding the gem. Aoi wished it was that easy for her.
“I’m a little disappointed that it’s not exactly like yours,” Momoka said with a sigh.
“Yours is easier to hide.” Aoi grabbed a cake roll for herself.
She followed Momoka to the cashier to pay, before they settled at a table.
“Where did you find yours?” Aoi asked. Where she found it didn’t really matter, but it was the easiest transition into conversation that she could think of.
Momoka gave a small shrug. “In a book.”
That was vague.
“A book?”
A blush rose to Momoka’s cheeks. “I bought an old magical girl manga from a Ma and Pop bookstore. It looked like it was attached to the back of the front cover.”
What was with that blush? There was nothing to be embarrassed about. This happened to any Linked. “And then you touched it and it became a part of you?”
“Bingo,” she said as she started on her second slice of cake. “But don’t you think it’s weird?”
Aoi wasn’t sure she understood. Only one “weird” thing came to mind. “The gem?”
“The manga.”
Aoi quirked a brow. “Why would I think that?”
Momoka swallowed hard, before putting her fork down. Her gaze fell to the cake, focusing on it, as if trying to memorize how it looked. “Onee-chan, I’m kind of . . . Well . . .”
Linked: The War of the Gems - Book 1 Page 12