Changing Masks

by Nicholas Metelsky

  'I can't guarantee that my car will be exactly the same. But I get it. I'll take you with me when I go car shopping.'

  Apparently, Shina had been informed. She was waiting for me leaning against the gate of my house. She had the kind of look, that promised nothing good. Her clothes looked like a school uniform, which had been a popular style for a few years now. It could easily be called classic. Here, I saw a white shirt worn above a pleated plaid red skirt, a wide tie, the same color as the skirt, and a black blazer, that almost looked like a trench coat. Ah yes, she also had black tights or stockings on—it was hard to tell. And she was only seventeen. Watch out, guys!

  In general, her outfit, as I expected, was not meant for domestic fuss. I walked out of the car and smirked, looking at her.

  'You're looking at me as if I'm late for a date. Get in. I take it, I can't swindle my way out of it and have to go shopping.'

  'Pft.' She always expressed her attitude towards me in the same way. After closing her door, I walked around the car and got in on the other side.

  'Lead the way, girl. I don't even try memorizing all these stores.'

  Running low on time, we visited four stores. I was trying on all kinds of kimono. Once, Shina steered away from the plan and told me to try on black pants, a white shirt, and a chained belt. In these few hours, I realized that regular shopping is nothing compared to when we are short on time. Then it becomes really entertaining. The number of clothes I had to try on was the same, but the speed significantly increased. At first, I tried to cheat and take my sweet time changing from one outfit to another, but with a bratty girl outside the door of the changing room—a girl, who's constantly preaching about the speed, importance, and comparative analysis of changing for girls and boys, calling to the gods from time to time — my changing speed somehow increased.

  In the end, she chose a red kimono, black haori, and a white scarf. She did not forget to buy all the items in multiple options. She's a beast, not a woman. The good thing was that I did not have to marry her. When we got back, I left the pile of clothes at home, and she came out wearing a red jukata, black mesh gloves, and a white umbrella. She also had white flowers in her hair.

  'I know it sounds banal, but you look terrific. Please,' I said, opening the door of the car.

  'Pft,' That must be the phrase of the day.

  There it was—the Okhayashi neighborhood. In the grounds that weren’t particularly extensive, we were stopped and checked three times. We were stopped not by regular guards but by two footmen, dressed in a mobile infantry armor called Vormund-3M. This was nothing compared to what I saw at Crystal Eve because this was real battle armor, designed by the Germans for use in war. The best mobile infantry armor is made by the Russians. They make decent fighting and conventional robots, too, but their infantry, like it or not, is the best in the world. MID (motorized infantry division) is the only military branch, which manages to take the lead in just one country, leaving everyone else behind.

  Why am I rambling on about this? Because when I got out of the car, I was truly impressed. On the sides of the mansion’s wide open gates, where the main family of the clan lived, there stood two heavy MID straight from Russia. In Japan, these were known as Ryu-kotsu, a.k.a.'Dragon bone.' In Russia, they were called 'jap' because Japan purchased more MID models than any other country. It was the most popular model in the 20th, export, series. It was also the best, according to all military journals. The majority of these armor suits was taken by the Imperial Army, but private owners were able to grab a few as well.

  The hosts were greeting guests in the middle of the road that led inside the mansion. There was a man in a dark blue kimono, a woman, and a 12-year-old girl, who wore a pink and blue jukata with flower print. The husband and wife looked normal, which didn't apply to Rydon's sister, who stood out in the background. Her blue hair and eyes gave her a very distinct appearance. Overall, she looked particularly cute.

  'Twelve years old,' Shina noted quietly. 'This is her first time greeting guests. The woman is Okhayashi Anda, and the man... I suspect you recognize him.'

  Judging by the face of the girl, she was already tired of greeting guests. That wasn't surprising as it was already 9 P.M., and she had been standing there since 8 P.M. While we were walking towards them, the woman whispered something to her daughter.

  'Greetings, Sakurai-San, Koyama-San,' the girl began after bowing. 'Welcome to our house and thank you for coming to my 12th birthday party. I hope you enjoy the party.'

  'Hello, Ami-chan,' I bowed. 'I'm sure the party is going to be great. Okhayashi-Dono, I bowed to the man. 'Okhayashi-san,' I bowed to the woman.

  'I'm happy to see my son's friend at this party, as well as Koyama Kenta-san's granddaughter. It's an honor to have you here.'

  'It's an honor to be here,' Shina bowed, half-smiling.

  'Please,' he stretched his arm towards the house. 'My wife will take you to the rest of the guests.'

  The Okhayashi mansion was, if not a replica, then very similar to the Koyama house: old, wooden, traditional. Anda took us through the entire house out into the yard, where about three hundred other people were sitting and standing around looking bored. Judging by the tables with food and various decorations, the party was going to be in here.

  'Listen,' I turned to Shina. 'Don't you think it's a bit late for a party for a little girl? Or is it Okhayashi's quirk?'

  'More of an aristocracy thing. Just another excuse for a gathering. The best time for gatherings is at night.'

  'I've seen the Koyama do that.'

  'Well, it's not a rule set in stone. Our family likes to celebrate in a close circle.'

  'I see. Why did you invite me then?' She gave me a look as if to say what an idiot I was. 'Alright, silly question—I get it. Don't look at me so terrifyingly. Let's go get some food. I’ve eaten nothing since breakfast this morning.'

  The birthday girl returned in an hour, poor girl. However, she was then instantly dragged away by some other little girls. I didn't let Shina go anywhere without me, which made her hiss at me at first. So, we had to walk around together, talking to different groups of people that she pointed out, after which, they chatted to her and subtly left me out of the conversation.

  'Ha, that dude is here!' What the heck, I thought, turning around. Who's so bold as to...

  'Oh, Ishikawa-chan. Good evening.' It was my old, green-haired acquaintance. Well, not old, but you get my drift.

  'It’s not so good if I’ve run into you,' the girl asserted gloomily.

  'My condolences. Let me introduce...'

  'I couldn't care less who you're roaming around with.' Ishikawa doesn't know Shina? Holy crap. In principle, there wasn’t any reason why she should, but I had imagined differently.

  'Be careful, Ishikawa-san. What you say next…'

  'What are you going to do? Tell your dad? If it wasn't for this party, I'd... It's no place for peasants like you.'

  '...may end tragically for you.'

  'Oh, really. What's gonna happen? Your witch is going to screech?'

  'I don't like her, Shinji. Enough sugar-coating it with her.'

  'Shut your mouth, creature.'

  'Whatever you say, Koyama-san.' Oh, it's been a while since I’ve seen anyone go pale so fast. 'I'm going to repeat what I said the first time I met you.' Dramatic pause… 'Get lost...'

  For the next four seconds, we stood there in silence. Ishikawa Nariko was clearly afraid to move, much less speak. Shina and I were enjoying the view. Then my partner for the evening nodded in the direction of the crowd of visitors.

  'Your friend is here.'

  'Where?' Oh, yeah. Rydon. 'Let's go say hi.'

  Rydon was entertaining a red-haired girl. She was laughing at what he was saying, covering her face with a fan. He was wearing a man's kimono like me but without a haori.

  'Good day... I mean evening, spy. Where have you been the whole hour?'

  'I was here. Been looking for you for the last half an hour.'r />
  'I see,' I smiled at the red head. 'I can't blame you.' I got a smile in return.

  'Fujiwara-san, let me introduce you to my friends. Shinji Sakurai, my classmate and Shina Koyama-san, the kindest person, who often treats us to her mother's delicious food.'

  We bowed. It so happened that Shina's standard bow was more profound than mine. In theory, this hinted that I was somewhat higher than her in status, but in reality, I just was not used to bending my neck, and when I forgot, my bows were more like a nod of the head. It made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't bow twice.

  'Guys,' they all pretended not to notice my mistake. 'Meet each other. Fujiwara Ren is the fairest lily of the Fujiwara clan.' She didn't want to offend Shina so gave her the standard bow. Fujiwara was one of the greatest and most respected clans.

  'It's nice to meet you, Sakurai-san, Koyama-san.'

  Traditions and politeness. It didn't matter that I was a commoner. I was a guy, and that meant she had to greet me first.

  'Same here, Fujiwara-san. It's an honor to meet a descendant of Kamatari.' That was the person who carried out a coup, took control of the imperial family, and heralded the era of the Fujiwara line.

  'Since you're here, let me introduce you to my elder brother. The eldest is somewhere with father, but Hikaru is here. He's responsible for the entertainment, hehe. Do you mind, Fujiwara-san?'

  'Of course not, I'm interested in what kind of entertainment your brother has come up with.'

  The brother was a tall, skinny blond guy of eighteen-nineteen years old. He was standing beside a real boxing ring that was located in the corner of the yard. He was talking to two guys, who looked like they could be 14 years old. As we got close, they left, smiling and making jokes.

  'Well, how many do you have so far?' Rydon asked his brother.

  'Ten couples. That should be enough to start with. Hi guys,' he said turning to us.

  'By the way, this is Sakurai Shinji, my friend and classmate. Fujiwara Ren. She is in the same grade. And Koyama-san, Shina is a second-year student. She's Shinji's neighbor. And this is my brother, Hikaru Okhayashi. He's not as strong as you, Koyama-san,' he bowed to the girl, 'but he's the strongest among the young Okhayashi. He'll be a Master soon,' Rydon finished proudly.

  'Do you know what we are doing here?'

  'Nope. I was busy investigating the snacks.'

  'And I was trying to keep up with this glutton,' Shina added. Ren just shook her head.

  'We are going to have a ruckus.'

  'Haha, that's harsh, brother. Let me explain. Volunteers are going to fight in this ring. The winner of three fights will get a prize. If anyone wins ten fights, he'll get a grand prize. He will also obtain the right to announce the Queen of the party. Also, the most important thing is that the contestants cannot use Bahir. Of course, we have two healers on duty here, so that broken noses can be taken care of very quickly.'

  Oh, I shouldn't have come. I hope nobody asks me to go into the ring. If I were by myself, it'd be different but I didn't feel like playing monkey in front of the crowd. I had to think of a way out before it was too late.

  'That doesn't sound too good. At least for me,' I grimaced.

  'Why is that?' Hikaru asked.

  'Well, I don't feel like... doing it... to entertain the crowd. Without Bahir, it won’t be a fight, but a ruckus, as Rydon said.' I felt like a weakling, who was trying to find an excuse not to fight.

  'Do you like real fights?' Ren asked.

  'Serious fights. I'd rather have a stronger enemy, then act out a circus.'

  'So you don't think there is a serious opponent for you here?' Shina suddenly cut in.

  She had a talent of throwing me under the bus. Couldn't she just support me for once?

  'Without Bahir? I'll outdo anyone at this party.' If she offers to prove it, I'm gonna be mad. I took the wrong path in making my excuses.

  'Even an adult man?' I heard Ren's voice. Sighing heavily, I looked at the girl and decided to spill it.

  'I don't want to come out there.' I waved towards the arena. 'I don't feel like it. I don't want to beat children. I don't like this. I want to fight with adults. My victory will cause anger and a desire to get even. And I don't want to put anyone in an awkward position. And answering your question, Fujiwara-san,' I took a comic pose, 'Yes, even a man. I have no equal opponent here,' I smiled wide, 'or anywhere, for that matter. I'm the best. Without the use of Bahir, I'd beat anyone.'

  Shina only shook her head, and Rydon grinned.

  'That's a brave statement. You're right. It'll be better if you don't take the prize away from the potential winner,' Rydon's brother noted.

  'Pft.' If anyone didn't understand, it was Shina.

  Five minutes later, Hikaru went to deal with the new contenders for the main prize. I wondered what it was. Thinking about the prize, I remembered the present.

  'Oh, Shina. Satisfy my curiosity. What was in the gift box?'

  Our presents were supposed to be taken from Goro's car when he parked. 'What if we had brought a bomb, or some kind of poison?' My gift to Rydon's sister was an artifact ring that could heal minor wounds. At the auction, I made a deal with Soga that he would buy an appropriate object, that I picked up afterwards. I doubt that Aniko would run to tell her sister what I bought for her. It was not the secret that was important to me but making a connection with Soga. He might think of me as a child, but he'd remember me better now. Perhaps, he’d ask me some small favor too.

  Shina brought a box the size of a thick book, wrapped in gift paper. She was silent as a mimic when I asked her about it.

  'It's not important. It's just a gift. It's not as expensive as yours. Don't worry.'

  'Expensive?' Rydon became interested. 'What is it?'

  'What if you go running to your sister with the secret?'

  'Me? Running?' The guy overreacted his surprise.

  'It's a ring,' Shina grumbled. 'Artefact.'

  'Shina! You, little turd.'

  'Pft.'

  'Ring-artifact? That's cool. I need to go to the bathroom.'

  'Stop!' I grabbed his shoulder. 'Be patient now. Scouts do it right in their boots.'

  'But,' he looked sadly at his sandals, 'I don't have boots.'

  'Boys,' Ren shook her head.

  More and more volunteers were arriving at the ring. They were mostly guys of fourteen to fifteen years old, but there were my peers and twelve-year-olds. I had to get out of there.

  'Okay, you do as you like, and I'll go grab something else off the tables.'

  'How much can you fit in your stomach?' Shina looked outraged.

  'A lot when necessary.'

  'Hi!' I heard an unexpected voice behind me.

  The voice belonged to a red-haired, little guy, who looked like he could be the same age as the birthday girl.

  'Ho, look who's here!' Rydon exclaimed. 'The candidate to the hand of my little sister.' The guy bowed proudly. 'Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the great fighter, racer, artist, and perfect guy, Nagasunjehiko Miki.'

  What a fine company there was gathering. Nagasunehiko—if not eight years in this world, I wouldn't be able to pronounce his last name—in general, this clan was considered the oldest in Japan. There are older lines, but no older clans. I think their specialization is the element of wood.

  Waiting for Rydon to introduce us, Miki stretched his finger in Rydon's direction and said as soon as Rydon finished:

  'Com'on, let's fight at the ring!'

  'Miki, I can't. Okhayashi can't take part in these events today.'

  'Well, that's not fair.'

  'Choose someone else, look how many peers are here.'

  'I only know you here,' he said sadly. (Oh, this is not good.) 'Then I’ll fight with you,' he said looking at that.

  'I can't, man.'

  'Why not?'

  'I don't know how to fight.'

  'Really, what, not at all?'

  'A full and crippling lack.'

  'Poo
r fellow,' he pitied me. After that, he addressed everyone: 'What should I do now?' The little guy must have been having fun. Not every child can emphasize his age in a conversation and know how to gain benefit from it.

  'Try and win the hand and heart of Ami some other way?'

  'When I'm only 12? How so?' Ha, I like him.

  'Win a dragon,' I put in my two cents worth. 'For the glory of your lady.'

  'Where am going to find a dinosaur?' Miki played a mix of surprise with indignation.

  'Oohhh,' I stretched. 'There are plenty of options.' After my words, there was a pause. Everyone looked at me with curiosity. Even Shina.

  'Spill the beans. What are your options?' Ren couldn't hold back anymore.

  'For example, you could make one. Then you'd have a mechanical dragon. Or you could make him out of plywood. But you have to think your murder through and make an act out of it. You could invest in science. A time machine would make it possible to fly into the past and retrieve a dinosaur. What about a genetically engineered option... you could draw a dragon and the way you defeat it. You could draw not only with paints but also with the use of a laser. You could write a symphony, and name it something like 'Dragon Spike.' You could also...'

  'That's enough, blabbermouth,' Shina cut in.

  'No, no, wait. What else?' Cool guy.

  'Uh-uh, well, actually, you could carve a sculpture from stone. Yes, that's enough to start with. You can brainstorm on your own now.'

  'I could make a dragon out of flowers... so many ideas now,' Miki pondered.

  'There. If you combine them all, she won't stand a chance.'

  'Combine them... hm... That's interesting. With such brains, oh wisest, you don't have to know how to fight.'

  'Exactly!'

  'Pft.' Shina—who else could it be?

  'Oh wisest,' Ren snorted.

  'What? You wouldn't like it if someone wrote a poem in your honor?' They pondered. No answer.

  'A poem ... also not a bad idea, but I don't think I can,' Mickey cut in.

  'Oh, look, Aniko,' Rydon said suddenly. 'With that mor... marvellous young man. That is, her fiancé.'

  Looking to the side, where Rydon was pointed, I saw his sister instantly. She was dressed in a beautiful black and gold dress, wearing a dutiful smile, not paying much attention to anything. Next to her was Sate Shinichi, the last of those... of those people I have been hunting for years. The bastard had come back. I had longed to put him down him for so long, and here he was, basically giving himself into my hands. What made him come back? Had he finally grown some balls while in Germany for the year? Or just lost the remains of his mind? Creature. Stop. Fiancé? Really? I'm sorry, Aniko, I hope you don't care about this one because his life is almost over. Nobody's tears or misery can stop me.'