LegendaryWarriors
FF Forever
Lunar Stone
Aria was actually pretty popular, last year she was in the drama club, and before that, she was in the swim club, and before that was… What was it? Since freshman year, she joined almost every club, but the only thing she remained a part of was the student council. She stepped into the clubroom and sat down at the opposite side of the table as the student council president. The student council president was probably one of the more handsome men in the school and she had a secret crush on him. He had dark blue hair and eyes that glowed brightly in the dark; a rich golden yellow that took her breath away. It wasn't just the way he smiled, but the muscles underneath his shirt and the way he spoke. He was both the baseball captain and a talk of the school. She wasn't the only one that admired him. Among the girls, there were a set of three fan clubs for the hottest guys. Satoshi. Kohaku. And Kioshi. Satoshi was the jock. Kohaku, the bad boy. And Kioshi the nerd. Aria had joined all three fan clubs, but each club had rules. She sighed, almost daydreaming as she stared at the president. When he spoke she shook herself out of her daze. For the first time after entering the room, she looked at the sweets registering his words. She looked through the basket browsing the flavors for her favorite.
There were three reasons she was still on the council. One: a hot guy. Two: the sweets. And three: the activities. Being a part of several other clubs while being the vice president had given her opportunities to see how the clubs operated 'undercover.' She fiddled with the wrapping paper around the muffins and peering into the basket, "hmm?" She looked at the chocolate chip one. Satoshi was strict about coming on time, but he always made up for it with food. "don't mind if I do," she grabbed the chocolate chip muffin out of the basket popping it into her mouth. It was delightful. the taste was familiar and distinctive. There was a bakery downtown that sold the most delicious sweets. It was both a coffee shop and a sweet spot. It was also fairly new which made it even more popular. Aria had gone to the shop only once, but that was because her friends invited her along. She smiled and looked at Satoshi, "what's on today's agenda?" A few more students filled the quiet room.
She combed a brush through her soft hair. At the top were strands of pure blue like the sky or clear ocean water, but at the ends of her long hair were strands of golden yellow like the sun. The pearlescent of her hair caught the light of the sun making her hair vibrant like the sea, but her skin did not tan much. She stared into the mirror and met a girl with an amber eye and her other eye was light blue. She frowned at her distinctive features, her beautifully youthful skin, and her heterochromatic eyes. She stood up, letting her comb fall to the floor with a muffled sound as it fit the pink carpet. Her entire room matched the pink of the carpet or the blue of her hair. The room was like something straight from a fairy tale with drapery over the bed, soft plush blankets, and a polished white vanity where she sat. Her window was covered by light blue curtains, her closer was doubled in size, and her white bookcase was full of books from manga to novels. The only thing out of the ordinary was a second closet behind the girl, its doorway was open, but from the reflection in the mirror, she could just see one of her collections. An anime figurine from one of her favorite animes of all time. Cardcaptor Sakura. She watched it with her mother growing up and had the Kero plushie on her beside along with another plushie collection lining the ceiling. Kero was her favorite, but also the last present she received from her mother before--
"Ojosama," a light tap sounded from the door, "your breakfast is ready."
She gave a light sigh, stood up, and walked to the door pulling it open without even a squeak, "Sebastian," she rolled her eyes, "how many times do I have to tell you to call me by name. Ka-I-Ya. Kaiya Natuski." He raised his gloved hands defensively and smiled, "good morning, young miss."
She rolled her eyes again. She was wearing her school uniform already and had already been up studying for an hour and a half. She passed him and watched the butler follow her at a distance so she slowed down to pace herself beside him, "what's for breakfast today?"
Sebastian's real name was Haruto Masayoshi. He hated the name and asked that refer to him as Sebastian. He had been there for Kaiya since she was little and was more of a father than her actual father.
She sat at the unnecessarily long dinner table with only one plate of food and frowned, "father is busy again today." It wasn't a question nor was it new information. Her father had been this way ever since she was little and her mother went to the hospital. Sebastian was her only companion in the most recent days, but like every morning her eyes went to the huge frame on the left wall. The picture frame was gold, but wide enough for a family photo. It hung on the center of the deep blue accent wall. It was her favorite photo, but it was also the last photo her family had taken together. There were four faces inside the gold frame, a six-year-old standing between a man and woman crouched down on both sides of the girl, and a younger man standing just behind them fully in the frame. The butlers' clothes looked entirely the same as they did in the photo, but she wore a marine dress with a ribbon in her hair. The man on the left was probably handsome for his age, but his face was sharp and….friendly. She remembered a time when her father last smiled. His black hair, his yellow eyes, and his collared blue shirt. It was rare to see him not wearing a suit. On the other side was her mother--much paler than her father with blue eyes instead of his yellow--she was dressed in casual clothes and brown boots, but her hair was blond, unlike Kaiya’s blue roots. Truthfully, her hair didn’t run in the family or hetero eyes, but she was born that way. No contacts, no hair dye, everything pure despite teachers lashing out at her. Yet, her beauty was so surreal it was unreal. Growing up she was always prettier than someone and boys crushed on her, but she only had her eyes on one person. A boy with green hair.
She used her fork and began eating, barely paying attention to the food before she set her fork down. Her appetite is suddenly gone. She stood up, looking at the butler who was dressed in his usual black suit. His hair was black and well kept, he was tall and in his early thirties, but he was capable. Sometimes other servants like maids helped around when he was too busy, but most of the time he took care of everything including driving her to school.
"I'm ready, Sebastian." He nodded and called for a maid to clean up. He walked with Kaiya to the car and opened the door for her.
Shortly after, he pulled up in town at the courtyard and she got out of the car thanking him. She was about to turn away when Sabastian called out to her and she turned to see what he wanted. In his hand were a yellow wrapped bento, one of his famous rice balls, and the way he always diced the apples into bunnies---or maybe this time it was octopus? She asked him to make more creative lunches because when she opened them, it was the best part of her day. She grabbed it from him, “thank you, Sebastian-Kun!” She started to run toward the school, but as she started forward, she tripped over her own toes nearly spilling her lunchbox before she made it to the bridge. She halted, her face red, and turned around to face him, she slightly bowed her head and backed away. When she dragged the moment out long enough for him to drive away before she turned and walked toward the bridge.
She looked at the fountain first, the crescent moon inside seemed to be surrounded by rings that soared from the water like a Chinese dragon. It was the most beautiful fountain she’d ever seen and set nothing compared to the school, she had to move around the fountain to get a good long at the dragon. Soo cute! She was suddenly mesmerized by the huge dragon at the peak of the castle seeming to guard the entire school. She smiled in awe, “I want it---If only they make a plush,” she sighed and placed a palm on her cheek. She walked toward the bridge in a daze, not really watching where she was going. She bumped into a girl when she finally snapped out of it and apologized. She continued forward ahead of her. As she was headed toward the entrance a hand suddenly wrapped around her arm.
She looked and saw an orange-haired friend, they'd been friends since elementary school.
"Mitsuko-san, " she greeted, "good morning." Before she could ask what got her so excited, Mitsuko dragged her by the arm and explained. Mitsuko had been dreading starting school until she found out about the dormitory this year. She had forgotten about it since she had no plans on doing in the castle, but Mitsuko was talking about it every day now. Kaiya nodded, "mhm," she listened trying not to lose her footing as they rushed the steps. More than once, she almost fell, and more than once Mitsuko had to catch her and slow down. When they reached the entrance Mitsuko stepped up to a locker, "how do you know which one is yours?"
Riko stared at the black cat and the black cat stared back at her.
*a week ago*
Riko stepped outside for fresh air and walked down the neighborhood. She was walking past an ally when she heard a cat hissing. Riko peered into the ally and saw a tiny black cat surrounded by strays. Each stray was thin, but their fur was matted and their claws digging into stone. One pounced onto the kitty and then another, but there was nowhere for the kitty to flee. Riko stepped into the alley, grabbed her water bottle, and splashed it at the cats. It wasn't much, but the cats ran scattering away like mice. The only cat that remained was the tiny black creature. Blood and scars soaked the poor kitten and Riko scooped the creature in her arms and ran out of the alley. She ran to the vet but bumped into a purple-haired girl on her way.
*now*
They stared at each other.
"Fuku," she said, at last, brushing back her long murky teal hair and her bangs that almost fell over her matching eyes. She remembered what the purple girl had said. "You don't choose the cat, she chooses you."
It was three days ago, and the black kitten kept coming back. At first, Riko thought the cat just wanted food so she left it out for him, but she kept coming even when she stopped leaving food.
Fuku stepped on his paws and pushed against her, making her smell the trash on the kitten's pelt.
"Gross!" Riko pulled away, falling back onto the floor, "you need a bath!" Riko sighed and stood up. It was still early, so she had some time before school. Her father was at work so she had the house to herself. She stared at the door behind her, still sitting on the front steps. She looked back at the cat, "fine," she sighed and opened the door. The cat bolted through the opening before she could even step inside. Oh, she was going to give the cat a bath if he was going to stay here. She stepped inside and closed the door before scoping the cat into her arms, "Sumire was right about one thing, you are sure stubborn." She went to the bathroom sink and started the water, "okay. If you want to remain here," she held the cat out in front of her so their noses touched, "then you will need to follow the rules," she set the cat in the sink and turned on the water. The cat tried to make a run for it but she shut the door and caught Fuku. "Not so lucky now, are we?" She grabbed a rag and washed the kitty. His black fur was soft and thin. He was skinny and still injured. She washed him the wrapped him in a towel, "See, that wasn't so bad." She opened the door, but the cat didn't flee a second time. She dried Fuku and set him on the couch in the living room.
Her eyes gazed toward the clock, "it's already that time?" She sighed and pet the cat one more time; she left after giving the cat food and water. On her way out the door, she thought about what her father might say about Fuku.
They haven't had a pet since her older brother moved to college, but she hadn't planned on keeping the feline until Sumire, the purple-haired girl convinced her. Sumire's mother was apparently a doctor but also had a veterinarian degree. She was just grateful the cat was saved.
Riko left home and walked down the sidewalk toward the school. She kept to herself as she passed by students and didn't pay attention even when she saw Sumire sitting at the fountain. Riko walked right past her up the long series of steps leading to the castle-like school. She didn't admire the bridge. Didn't acknowledge the dragon statue. Didn't even look up when two boys passed her up the steps. She turned off the path to the assembly and veered off to the library. The library was her hidden sanctuary and no one searched for her there. She hid and read an endless amount of books, and this was where she would hide and avoid the long---and drawn-out assembly. She hid in the furthest, darkest corner and pulled a book out of her bag.
Dia stared at the ring. Two days ago, it was her birthday and she hosted a huge party, but after receiving a ring strange things began to occur. The diamond ring was found by her parents who own a chain of jewelry stores, the ring could not be damaged or broken, but it was beautiful right down to the gold band. Her parents were going to put it on sell, but she begged them to let her keep it. As soon as she received the diamond, she slipped it upon her finger and it vanished! She pulled it off and she could see the gemstone once again. She did this a few times, staring at the ring and playing with it in her room. The next few days she'd hidden the ring on her finger completely forgotten. She thought it was strange and the ring felt familiar, like a memory at the edge of breaking thought, but no matter how hard she thought nothing came to mind. She got out of bed and changed into her uniform. This year she would be moving into the dorm with a couple of friends. She heard rumors that the dorm was coed, but those might just be rumors. Unfortunately, the collection of hot guys consisted of mainly a player and a few charming underclassmen, but there was one boy she was interested in. He had blue hair and delicate features, but he never showed up at her party. She stopped playing with the ring and brushed back her silver hair trying to decide whether to pull it up or not. On her way out the door, her phone buzzed on her bed and she plopped down on the soft gray cushions and held it to her ear, "Rei-chan?" She greeted her friend, "what? A transfer student? Really? Are you sure?" She paused, "is he handsome?" She played with the ring even though she couldn't see it, "wait? Two transfers? It's the start of the year so it's not weird. Besides this is a new school and this year they will have dormitories." She listened to her friend.
"Mhm. Yeah. No way," she rolled her eyes, "how did you find this out anyway?" She rolled onto her back, "I guess that's a benefit to being on the student council. Satoshi-Kun has only been president for a year now after your brother graduated. He is also very handsome if it weren't for being a stickler for the rules." She giggled, "oh, yeah. Totally. I didn't know Ezume-chan had a brother." Her mouth opened wide and she sat up quickly, "seriously?" She nodded at what her friend was saying, "well, okay. I'll be at school in one hour anyway."
Her driver dropped her off right at the courtyard and she looked around for Rei and two other girls. She walked up to them and smiled, "morning."
Her friends greeted her and they started toward the bridge.
"Where is he?" Dia looked around, "you said there were two handsome men transferring to our school?' She peered around the crown for men she could consider handsome, but all she was was disgusting green hair and a bunch of familiar faces. Ahead of them, alright at the steps, was a familiar boy with bright blue hair. He was handsome and short, but more attractive than the blondie getting off his motorcycle to her right. Dia barely noticed ray almost drooling at Kohaku, another classmate, and a player. She swore all her friends would get with him just for one night even if he dated them all at once, but she didn't notice the blond. Her eyes were on the athlete. Ezume. Ezume was on the swim team so she constantly went to the pool just for a chance to bump into him.
"Look!" One of her friends, Sakura, interrupted her thoughts, "Is that him?"
A taller boy with black hair approached her crush, and he was admittedly handsome.
Rei nodded, "that's the transfer student, I can't remember his name though. He is more handsome than in the photo," the girls stared at the transfer, but Dia's eyes were focused elsewhere.
"Charm here. And a charm there," she tied the little wooden decoration to a cherry tree, "grow big and beautiful," she placed a delicate palm on the tree, "thank you." She crouched down to her knees and studies the blue flowers, "you've done well," she smiled at the blue flower, "I'll plant many friends for you." She stood up and pulled a pink petal out of her purple hair, yawning, "what time is it?" She peered at her phone and the image of a shrine on its cover reminded her of something important. She abruptly stood to her feet and turned sharply back the way she came. She sat down at the fountain and started writing another charm on a wooden omamori. She loved doing little crafts ever since she was a child. When her father was alive she remembered living at a shrine and learning how to make various amulets. Her mother was always too busy to maintain the shrine so Sumire often cared for it though it was mostly forgotten by outsiders. She glanced at the photo on her phone and a man sat on a series of steps leading to the shrine gate. His hair was short and purple like her own, but his eyes were a bright lavender. He was tall and working on a charm which he was holding in his palm. Beside him was a small child with matching purple hair, light as a flower but long and flowing, she looked excitedly at the charm. Sumire remembered the shrine and the charm and since his death, she made a charm every day. She finished the words on it, sitting beside the fountain as students filled the courtyard. She had almost lost track of the time, so she stood up and started to join the crowd. Cutting her off her math was a motorcycle as it parked right in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.
CONVERSATIONHERE
An orange haired girl slept on the bed, her feet were on the bed frame and her head was hanging over the side of the bed. She snored loudly a line of drool dripping from her pink lips. Two little boys came running into her room, the first one crawled onto the bed and started jumping while the second tugged at the blankets until the black and white comforter fell to the floor. The room was lined with posters from BTS to anime and manga, almost hiding the orange accent wall. It was small and cramped with all the manga books piling up on her floor and desk. Beside her sleeping face was an open book of High Speed! With four boys in swimwear featuring the cover. When the boys jumped all over her she rolled to the side grumbling until they landed on her like a doggy pile. Her eyes opened wide at the sudden impact as her two twin brothers landed on her. The two boys had the same face and same eyes with the same vivid orange hair she had, looking almost identical except for the subtle way their hair was parted, “morning Shouta and Kouta-kun,” she stretched widely then gathered into a big hug. She rolled off the bed with them and burst out laughing.
When they hit the floor, both brothers jumped to their feet and ran out the door, “breakfast time!” they disappeared into the living room. She laid there and yawned, glancing over at the time. 6:00 AM. She frowned and stood up, still yawning widely. She walked to her closet and tossed her uniform on the bed before leaving the room to jump in the shower.
After her shower, she stepped out with a towel around her and returned to the room to change clothes. She slipped on her uniform and headed downstairs just as her father was putting on his shoes, “bye dad, love you,” he smiled at her and hugged the boys.
“I’ll be home early tonight and we can watch a movie together as a family,” he smiled and said goodbye before leaving for work like every morning. Sometimes he would leave earlier to later depending upon his boss. He worked as a secretary for a jewelry company and was doing pretty well, while her mother owned a clothing store inside a mall, but she sometimes didn’t open it until almost noon. Mitsuko looked at her mother and went to the kitchen, “what’s for breakfast this morning?” she sat at the table and her brothers joined her. Her mother sat a bowl of cereal out for the two youngest, but looked at Mitsuko, “what are you still doing here?” she asked, "i thought you were going to school early today?" Mitsuko raised a brow.
'Yesterday you were bragging about going early on your first day of high school and how you were meeting your friend---"
Mitsuko suddenly shot up from her seat, "oh, that's right!" She rounded the table, kissed her mother's cheek, and grabbed the slice of toast that had a smear of strawberry jam on the bread. She put it in her mouth and ran out the door. On her way out, she ran past a few apartments toward the school. This year the dormitory would finally open up to students. Its construction only started the last year when the new headmistress took over. There were rumors she wanted to turn the building into a university in the future, but that wasn't certain. According to her father, this building was supposed to be preserved as a museum, but the former headmaster bought it outright from under people's noses.
She glanced around as she saw the courtyard come into view and the massive marble walls casting their shadow over the bridge in the distance. She cocked her head at the familiar dragon statue, excited to see the new unfamiliar halls. As her eyes gazed past the courtyard, past the fountain, she saw distinct blue hair. The kind of blue on a clear day with yellow at the ends. She smiled and broke into a run. She sidestepped the surprisingly busy courtyard and passed students on the bridge, but she didn't pay it any mind even when she bumped shoulders with a red haired boy. She grabbed Kaiya's arm and waited till the girl turned, "morning, Iya-chan!"
She waited for Kaiya to acknowledge her before adding, "let's hurry! The assembly should start at eight, right? I want to find out when the dorms will open up. I hope we can be roommates." She grabbed Kaiya and picked up her pace. Kaiya stumbled to keep up with her but eventually, they entered the massive castle.
"Ooh," Mitsuko gazed around the room, "it's so beautiful," she stepped through the hall to find the lockers lining the entrance. Mitsuko approached a locker at the end, "this one's mine," she said, "just you wait. It's going to be an exciting year with handsome boys and festivals."