ShipTeaser

  “So, who ahis question?” our teacher was saying, looking around the room, frowning. “Oh well… I suppose I may as well ask. Masui-san, go ahead. Though I’m not expeg much.” She gestured to the chalkboard, where a maths problem was sketched out. There ple of ughter around the room at the teacher’s words, and Rika- ughed it off as usual.

  “Maybe I’ll surprise you today.” She smiled, enjoying the attention, her usual fshy look drawing the eyes of the boys in css. I idly cast my attention to the problem on the board, my mind instantly providih the answer, and how it was worked out. Skills and stats sure are ve…

  “Well, the answer is… x approaches zero at…” she moved the chalk, filling in the problem, leaving the room in silence.

  “That’s right, Masui-san.” The teacher frowned, her eyebrows arg she was so surprised. “Uh, well done, I guess. Have you been studying? That’s… well, not very like you. As your teacher I’m pleased though!” She hurriedly corrected her rather insulting words.

  “Well, I’ve been putting in a bit of an effort. Yae tht?” At that Yae- waved her hand in agreement, her other hand idly twirling her bleached blonde hair.

  “Sure have!” she said, and at that the teacher’s eyes glimmered, as she sketched out another problem.

  “Well then, ght ahead, Chihaya-san. If my precious students are trying their best, it would be remiss of your teacher not to test you!” There was mhter at that, but Yae- merely got up from her desk, brushed down her (rather too short) skirt, and then wrote out the answer.

  “Perhaps I’m still dreaming?” The teacher said with a ugh. “Well, if it is a dream, I hope I’m not te for work!”

  “No dreams, teach.” Yae- teased, sitting down. “Rika and I finally decided to take school a bit more seriously, you know? It’s all down to good girl Ai- here! She’s helped us out a lot.”

  Don’t brio it. I’m in a bad enough mood after st night! Just remembering it made me mad. My blue eyes were stern as I looked at her, but that only made her ugh harder, and the teacher wasn’t going to let that go.

  “That’s right, our very own Oshiro-san whose grades have shot up. I think you have a good ce of entering the Uy of your choi Tokyo, following in your brother’s footsteps. I hear he’s moving up in the world?”

  “He sure is.” Rika-san smirked. “It retty fasating seeing where he lives and works in Tokyo.”

  “Damn, I’m so jealous!” Another cssmate cried, and she shrugged.

  “Oh, you should be. It was… magical, right Ai-?” She wi me, fuelling my annoyance.

  “Well, now that you’re as good at mathematics as you’ve always been at English, Oshiro-san, these questions are probably too easy for yht? You’ve been frowning to yourself all lesson…”

  Well, that’s got nothing to do with the css tent! “… well, I believe the job of a teacher is to challenge my students, unleash their potential, so…” as our teacher smiled slyly, I felt my annoyance spike. It doesn’t really matter. There’s only a few mio the end of css, and then there’s only English to go until we’re done, and I switch off during that css…

  “… here. don’t be sad if you ’t solve this problem. It’s material you’d cover during your first year on a Mathematics or Physics course at Uy, but it is solvable, if you apply everything we’ve learned during your three years at high-school, and…” as the teacher droned on, I stood, striding to the board and grabbed a piece of chalk. My hand moved, elegantly sketg out the solution.

  “Well, that was… fast.” The teacher said, shocked.

  “I’m not intending to do a true STEM course.” I said primly. “My focus is on sports sce, but my bro told me that tains a lot of maths and biology, so there’s a lot of overp. So I’ve been studying too.”

  “I see you have. Uh… just out of curiosity, you ahis?” She drew up an even more plicated problem, ohat I could indeed answer, but I realised that a good k of the problem was material we’d never covered. A trap, huh… well, I’m not my bro, showing off in baseball in front of the whole damn town. I’ll be careful…

  “I’m sorry. I get it up to here…” I made some notes on the board. “But I don’t think we’ve studied this, right?”

  Our teacher let out a little sigh, and I was sure I could see some relief on her face. “You’re right. We haven’t. That’s third year Uy material. I wonder… no, css will be over shortly. Ah, the bell…” As her words were spoken the bell rang, releasing us from the teacher and her annoying questions. “O thing…” the teacher said, looking at me sympathetically. “I know everyone is worried about Mori-san and how she is doing away from home, but she is properly submitting her assigs and has been takis over webcam with us. I see no problems with her graduating with you all in March, so do your best so she doesn’t leave you behind! As for her physical dition…” the teacher looked at me, so I shrugged.

  “Yeah, Eri’s doing rehab, she’s putting her all into it. Progress is slow, but her doctors…” Well, bro and Shaeu, anyway… “… say that if she keeps up her hard work, she’ll make a full recovery in time.”

  “Must be nice, having her fiancée look after her with such dedication.” One of our cssmates said.

  “Well, that’s the minimum one expect, isn’t it?” Our teacher smiled as she ag up. “If you find a partner, make sure they’ll be there for you in both good times and bad. If they are, then you’ve found a keeper…”

  Yeah, well my bro sure does love Eri, but he isn’t perfeot by a long shot. I puffed my cheeks out in a scowl as I took my seat, head down on the desk, switg off. At least I get time to think about things…

  ********

  “You know…” Asami- said, snappi of my thoughts. “Don’t you think that Ren-kun is starting to aanly? I think it’s kind of hot.”

  “Ren-san? Really?” I raised an eyebrow, surprised. Well, if I’m going to be fair, he’s definitely ged since Kyoto. A lot of people have. Akio too. “Now that you mention it, he does seem more mature than his age. Like he’s a bit older than us now, even though he isn’t.”

  “They say adversity makes a man.” Mio- said piously, as we waited for our final css of the weekend to end. “Well, so, do you like him then, Asami-?” she asked, getting to the heart of the matter.

  “Like is a bit strong a word, but… well, he’s not so bad, right? I hear he’s from a pretty important shrioo? Before, even though I go to a faith school, I never really thought about it much.”

  “Me her.” Mio- agreed with her. “I mean, no offense, Kana-, but your shriher than having a lot of nd, it retty run-down. Well, not fair to say that now though, is it?”

  “Yeah well, I won’t argue with you. I always used to hate it.” I agreed. “Things are different now though.” I could see some irls listening to us, including Takagi-san and Kikuchi-san. I still wasn’t all that close to them, despite everything, but since we were all allies in the same boat, we were spending more time together, and I had a fresh appreciation for their circumstances. Although…

  “o be jealous, Kana-! After all, your achievements are way more impressive!” Mio- reassured me, and I managed a wry smile. I’m not jealous. It’s just…

  “Maiko-san has worked hard.” Takagi-san defended her, her eyes sharp behind the gsses. For a shy girl, she was being bolder retly, and that made me like her more. “She’s a daughter of a true shrine, just like you!”

  I snorted a ugh at that, amused. “Really, Kikuchi-san, you have such a brave her to protect your honour.” At that Takagi-san looked down, flushed, and it was cute. The pin girl was definitely looking less out of p roup of beauties, that was for sure, as she took better care of her appearance, and had even bought a more fashionable pair of gsses. Well, Akio does insist on making sure we all get paid. It’s not a huge amount of money, but fhschoolers like us, it’s certainly wele. It’s like a pre an adult would get… well, he did say we were doing the work of an adult so should be pensated accly. I like that he’s fair. Like…

  “Don’t bully Hisano-san!” Kikuchi-san protested, and I shook my head.

  “Bullying? This is banter. Don’t you get it? It means we’re friends, right?” I smiled. I really ’t be bothered to py the queen bee anymore. There’s more to life than beiiful… I could feel the power thrumming within me, a great surge of earth element energy. It was muted here outside the Boundary, but I could still se boiling within my lower body, and if I chose, I could probably colpse the building we were in, if I put out all my effort. Me, effort. I still hardly believe it, but… I’ve never felt so alive. Every day makes my heart race, makes me discover new parts of myself.

  “Friends?” Takagi-san said softly, seemingly puzzled.

  “Yes, friends, Hisano-.” I ged my way of address, surprising a few of the listeners. “If you don’t think we are, you’ll hurt my feelings!” I guess we certainly are friends, rades. And I guess I’d like to get to know them better.

  At that, Noguchi-san, anirl in css who I had been friendlier with retly, and had visited my shrine, spoke up. “Really, the five of you have beey close ever since we visited your shrine, Kana-!” she pouted. “I was there too, and I ’t help but feel I missed out on something!”

  “Me too!” anirl decred.

  You did, but… “Well, maybe you did. Maybe you didn’t. If you’re really curious…” I paused, drawing everyone’s attention o felt good, but somehow… g. It really does feel better being praised for what I do, what I tribute, than for merely being pretty and charming. “… well, I ’t say I reend it…”

  Mio- and Asami- giggled at that, remembering. “… but you remember that girl Shaeu, right?”

  “Oh yeah, the beautiful fner with the yukata. Her hair was like golden silk!” Noguchi-san said admiringly.

  “Well, I have her phone number, of course. She’s like a sister to me.” I bragged, and it was actually true. After all, Shaeu’s always liked me, from the start, even though she saw through how shallow I was. And she helped save Keomi-. If my idiot cousin died, I think I’d be crushed… besides… I hoped my face wasn’t red, as the thought of being sisters with her naturally turo the other meaning. “So, if you want to be best friends with us all, give her a call. But don’t say I didn’t warn you…” Shaeu’s a fiend for pretty girls, well, not in the usual way, but… well, she picks them too, I guess. She’s never really pushed Mio- or Asami- at Akio. I guess I’m fttered that she e. But then…

  Now things were different. I had been trusted with the most precious thing in the world right now, a Divine Favour, and I wao live up to that trust, not just because I always felt I should be special, respected, wealthy, happy… but because of those who did trust me. Akio, Shaeu, even Eri-san, who hated me at first. She’s cold, but she’s fair. And she’s o those that like who she likes…

  “I wouldn’t.” Hisano- remarked. “Nht now, anyway. But if you wao… hang out, I wouldn’t mind. Would you, Maiko-san?”

  “If I have time, that’s fihe gloomy girl said, surprising us with an unusually bright smile. “Maybe karaoke? Or we could go into tral Tokyo. I have some money…”

  “Really?” Noguchi-san said, surprised. “Well, karaoke is fun!”

  As the girls chatted, I met Hisano-’s gaze. She seemed embarrassed, but offered me a small smile. Yes, everyone’s ging. I think that’s a good thing. I always divided the world into us and them. It turns out most people be part of the ‘us’ if you give them a ce. I looked at Kikuchi-san, no, Maiko-, as she talked brightly, so unlike her previous introverted gloom. Well, it’s no wonder. Her family is secure uhe best prote one have, she doesn’t have money worries anymore, and… st night, she mastered wind element. As a daughter of a true shrihat has to be a happy thing. I mastered earth first though! I wasn’t going to budge on that. I had put in the hard work, even if the twins and Haru-san had helped…

  ********

  “So spill it. You’ve been in a foul mood all day, Ai-!” Yae- said to me, as we prepared ourselves to ehe Boundary at Chairoakitara shrihe room Eri and I used to enter from had been transformed, and was now a luxurious space with a number of beds, a bathroom and more. As well as secure doors with proper locks. Marika-’s grandfather won’t pull anything, of course, but better safe than sorry…

  “Whehis annoyed, it’s always either Akio-kun, or Ri-Ri.” Rika- observed as she removed her school uniform, revealing the rather risqué bck bra under her shirt. I couldn’t help but g it, and she sniggered, crossing her arms under her chest.

  “What’s up, Ai-? Jealous of my sexy underwear? Yours is all b and follows the school rules. You’ll tract a det boy unless you get sexier.”

  “I’m sexy enough thank you.” I said primly, pulling on a cheap hospital-style gown over my pin white underwear. “As for attrag boys… sorry, but I don’t have time for that right now. Besides why even stians? Maybe I’ll get myself a sexy elf. My bro’s proved that you have non-human partners. My bro…” I sighed bitterly.

  “I k. It’s Aki.” Yae-san had also put on the gown, though her hands shook doing it, as well they might. After all, I am pretty ruthless iraining. Well, they wahis, so… sequences.

  “What’s he done now then? Got himself anirl?” Rika- said, earning an annoyed look from Yae-, who I could tell was a bit dowehat my bro wasn’t into her. Well, she’ll get over it. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with Yae-, and I suppose, much as it paio admit, she’s a nicer girl than she looks, and far less a bitch than her gal fashion would suggest. But against the others… well, she’s just too normal. “He has, hasn’t he?”

  “Well, yes. Mom is going to be so happy. She’s gone crazy with her delusions now, though dad, uncle and auntie aren’t anywhere near as thrilled.” I had been told that Daiyu, that pretty ese girl, was going to be living with my bro and the others, in that way. I retty used to it by now, so that wasn’t what was b me. “No, it’s just… well, we do this in a minute.”

  We ehe Boundary, lying on our respective beds, and soon we were outside the shrine. As I called upon my golden sister army, the statues materialising around us, I noticed their gazes of envy and wonder. Well, I guess it took me a while to get used to this too… I couldn’t help but feel satisfied, that my bro e to bear such a precious gift. I knew he wanted me to be able to defend myself, but taking it was a responsibility as well. My grip tightened on my brilliant red bow. A responsibility I shoulder.

  “They never get old.” Rika- remarked, looking at them. “So, why Ri-Ri, Shaeu and the others? It’s cute, but… a bit odd?”

  “No reason. They just seem to be what I think of when I call them out.” I sighed. “Anyway…” I expihe situation to my friends, the mess with my bro and his prisoner, and the guilt he was feeling.

  “That’s… so messed up!” Rika- said, pale-faced, when I was finished. “She’s not done anything wrong, it’s like she was held at gunpoint, no, worse than that!”

  “Yeah, I feel really bad for her myself.” I agreed. “It still doesn’t make me less pissed off. Anyway, train while we talk!” I ordered them, and the twroaned, running through the current version of the Aether Manipution training I had received from my bro and Shaeu. “And… sorry, but this is going to hurt.”

  “It always does. I’m sure you just enjoy punishing us, you sadist!” Rika- managed a wan smile, as I pulled one of my arrows free, using the head to make a series of small but painful cuts on Rika- and Yae-, along their upper arms and thighs. Silver and red beads of blood sprang free.

  “Again, you wao be in this world. So suck it up. Ether Healing training is hard, painful work. And I ’t do it like Hyath does, so…” The gowns soak up the blood ba the Material, if their parents noticed them ing back with bloody school uniforms, that wouldn’t be good at all… “… ba the subject. You don’t agree, Rika-?”

  “I just don’t see how she be put in prison for that. She was made to do it. It seems so heartless!”

  “I agree.” I said, gently releasiher into their bodies. I wasn’t just trying tthen my Ether Healing, but to get a firmer uanding of other people’s Astral bodies, as a precursor to Chirurgery. Else I could just do it on myself. It’s not like I enjoy hurting them. Though even a Rank of Ether Healing will keep their skin and hair beautiful, so they suck it up. Damn, wish I had eyes like my Bro or Shaeu, that would make this easy. Even Kana- has potential it seems…

  “… I feel really sorry for her. But I also get what my bro is driving at too. It’s coloured by his stupid, self-sacrifig nature…” Rika-san yelped under my hand as my anger made me less gentle. “… he thinks everyone should do what he would, but he ’t even make up his mind on that. If Eri, Shaeu or I were in her position, he’d ell us to die rather than save ourselves, no matter the cost. It’s just so… frustrating!”

  “I think that’s only natural, right?” Yae-san said, waitiurn, blood trig down her body as she practised juggling small metal balls she had willed ieh her limited stocks of aether. “Why should you have to apply the same rules to those you love and some stranger? I’d be pretty disappointed if he would tell you to die, Ai-. But… well, I guess I feel sorry for the woman too. But don’t you feel more sorry for the dead? Eae of them had brothers, sisters, children, parents… now they’re gone.”

  “Even so, it wasn’t her fault.” Rika- insisted, shivering at my touch, and I grinned in satisfa as the wounds ohighs closed. Hang on a minute, here I am strokihighs, isn’t that a bit kinky? No, it doesn’t matter. My iions are pure so it’s fine. Besides… This time I could feel and perceive a little bit more of her inner ws through the expended aether. Ever since I received the Divine Favour of Kannon and started to level up, my perceptions had grown sharper day by day.

  “Maybe not.” Yae-san argued. “But does that mean we should just send her on her way with a pat on the back? Is that fair?”

  Yeah, that’s my bro’s argument. Well, Yae- is right in a way. I accept whatever he decides to do, so long as he doesn’t end up getting hurt, but… that doesn’t ge that I feel really bad for the pirl.

  “Fair? To the dead? Well, shouldn’t we bme the ohat forced her to do all the killing? It was like she was a gun, right? You bme that hands that… hey, that tickles, careful Ai-… pull the trigger, not the gun… aha… itself.” Rika- giggled at my touch as my hands started healiher wounds, aether flowing into her body.

  “I think you don’t get it, Rika, Ai-.” Yae- stopped her exercises, gazing at us with ear brown eyes. “Fair… to the victims? You should worry more about her. If you had dohat, even to save yourself, and Aki let you go, said don’t worry, it’s not your fault, you did nothing wrong, would you be able to believe that, live with the guilt?”

  “I…” I avoided thinking about that. I didn’t want to. I focussed more on my stupid bro saying if he had to fight and kill one of us if we went down the wrong path, he’d follow after. That’s he ahat would just make those who survived feel the same pain… “I think I’d never recover.” I admitted.

  “That’s why… she needs punishment. Not to punish, though… to be ho, your brother be pretty blinding at times. Saying he’d rather die than be forced to do what she did… I don’t have the strength for that. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t look at me…” Yae- said sadly, and I felt the urge to give her a f pat on the head, so I did. She looked at me in surprise, before tinuing. “… but I do think that we sometimes o be punished, not for the victims, but so we five ourselves? And if she do something she feels bance what she did, won’t she feel she’s trying, she’s doing her best to live for those that died?”

  I see. Yes, that does make sense. I don’t know if my bro was entirely scious of that, but…

  “When did you get so clever, Yae?” Rika- said, proud of her. “I guess that makes a lot of seo me. Not that we’ve ever done anything so terrible, but… that time I broke dad’s expetle of sake and lied about it, I felt awful. I almost wao be caught. That way I could stop feeling so guilty and on edge.”

  “Hey, I’ve always been a smart girl. Not very academic, but I’m no dummy!” Yae- sighed. “But… we think about a lot of different things now, don’t we? Look around us.” She gestured at the golden sister army and the silver, lightning-streaked sky overhead. “I don’t envy Aki, you know, Ai-.”

  “Really? I don’t see any reason not to, he’s rich, strong, got a gaggle of girls fawning all over him. Don’t tell me you don’t want to…” I eyed her.

  “Yeah, but… doesn’t it e with all these painful decisions? And this is just the start.” Yae- sighed. “He’s taking on a lot. And be ho, Ai-. Your brother, he wasn’t anything special before, was he? Well, maybe to you and Ri-Ri, but he retty ordinary. A bit more handsome than the average, sure, and for Nishimorioka a real go-getter, but… did you ever see him handling these sorts of problems, making decisions that are life ah for thousands of people?”

  “No, to be ho, much as I loved my bro, he had his faults. Still does. They’re just masked better now. It’s got to be eating at him, hence… ugh, I feel bad blowing up at him now. I should have been nicer about it, more supportive. I’m a failure as a little sister.”

  “Don’t worry, Ai-.” Yae- returhe favour, patting my head now. “He’ll uand you care about him. After all, isn’t that why you’re doing all this?” She gestured around the Boundary. “It’s you, little Ri-Ri, Shaeu… all of you support him, make up for what he cks.”

  “Well, it’s not just for my bro. I’m doing all this for me too. I’ve found something I want to do. As for you two…”

  “I think this is something special.” Yae- tinued. “No matter how I feel about Aki, I’m your friend too, Ai-. So let’s not do this alone.”

  “Yeah, we’re friends for life!” Rika- agreed. “Akio-kun aside, us girls should stick together!”

  “In that case…” my eyes gleamed, and as I pulled out an arrow they swallowed nervously. “… best prepare yourselves. Training from hell begins now, get ready for it!” As they hastily made excuses, I didn’t listen to their cries, my thoughts on my future pns. I really wish I could drop a Territory here, but bro says it’s too risky, since I ’t defend it all the time. He’s right. Sure, there’s probably no other Chosen anywhere near Nishimorioka, but if one does e ay Anchor… well, I’ll wait until bro tells me where he wants it. Then I’ll just squeeze him for resources like Haru-!

  ********

  “How’s it going, Ren-kun?” Asami- said cheerfully to him as he ractising with the mirror Akio had lent him, his admittedly handsome face screwed up into an expression of tration as he was maniputing the glowing halo of indigo and golden light around the gss. Oh that’s right, we should be getting light energy from Haru-san’s Territory too now.

  Beside me, Mio- covered her mouth so we couldn’t see her smiling at the antics of our friend.

  “It’s hard.” He said, looking up, his eyes flickering over us. He didn’t pay me much attention, but his gaze lingered on Mio- and Asami-, and Asami- was going a little pink at his scrutiny. It’s strange. Before, I used to get annoyed when boys looked at me with lustful eyes, but I also got angry when they didn’t, I felt disregarded. I was such a bitch. Well, at least I know why he’s ign me now…

  “Yeah, but Akio says your tributions are really important.” I soothed him, and he nodded gratefully.

  “Yes, I see results, which helps. Well, Chiaki and Chiasa are at the usual spot. So if you want to join them, now’s the time. Even without Suzuki-san, we’re having some successes.” He said, proud of his sisters.

  “We sure are. Maiko- mastered wind, that bodyguard of Hinata-’s mastered earth element, and more us are close.” I agreed. “Well, I’ll give it a miss though. I have to level up.” Besides, there are all those Ameris here too. I find some of them scary, even though I should be able to protect myself, and they have been bound by Shaeu…

  “Good luck!” Mio- said cheerfully. “I’m going to get earth element too, today’s the day, I just know it.”

  “Well, do your best. Having a will be a solid foundation to build on.”

  “I’ll do my best as well!” Asami- said, enthusiastid Ren-san blinked for a moment, before nodding. That’s cute. You know what, I think she might have a thing for him after all, so petitive.

  “Good. There’s nothing worse than not having power when you . I know that now.” He looked at me, and while his eyes searched me, it wasn’t in appreciation of my looks, like with my two friends, but it was as if he was trying to burn my rength into his eyes. I like that a lot more. I’m being valued because of what I do, not what I look like. Although admittedly I have a long way to go until I master the Earthen Womb.

  “Well, I’ll leave you two to it. If you , help Keomi-, she’s really struggling.”

  “We will do. Holy, your cousin is su airhead. Cute though.” Mio- ughed.

  “She is. It be a pain tidying up after her though.” I pined, and Ren-san looked a bit sad, probably sidering that she was ed up in the same mess as his sisters were. “That reminds me… Ren-san, are you pnning to do another round of light element teag? Si doesn’t csh with the other elements, it might be useful. I think Asami-san might have a good affinity. I’m sure she’d be grateful if you could give her a few pointers, some special training maybe?”

  “Well, I’m struggling here myself, but…” he looked at Asami-. “A ge of pace might be a good idea. This is hard work.”

  “I imagine!” Asami- took my cue gratefully. “But yes, it’d be really great to learn light element. And who better to ask than someone who was born with it?”

  As the two of them talked, Mio- and I slipped away. “That’s pretty cute.” Mio- giggled.

  “Well, it’s not like a bit of flirting and romance is a problem.” I said, thinking. “Ren-san is a pretty det catch, as we said at school. And if it doesn’t work out… well, it’s all experience, right? And if it does, he’s not bad looking, and his shrine is an important one, in Akio’s inner circle. That’ll make her important too.”

  “You sure have ged, Kana-.” Mio- said as we walked. “Although not too much.” Her smile was kind aly mog. “You’re o everyone, but you still think like the Kana- we love. Speaking of love… how’s it going?”

  I shrugged. “Same as always. But I don’t mind. I really don’t.” I insisted at her doubtful expression. “Right now, I want to focus on being the best me I be. I want my gift to blossom, and as a Chosen I want to be strong. I’m not going to depend on pity to get what I want, nor simply my looks. I’m going to take it all!”

  “Love the fidence!” Mio- ughed. “So, what’s your pn right now?”

  “Well, I ’t put down my Territory, as we’ve not decided where it should go, and Akio already has Shirohebizumi shri’s a shame, but I’ll trate oing more powerful.”

  “You mean fighting?” Mio- asked, a little nervous.

  “I do. Well, mostly against monsters from the sea, or I might take a trip through the Gate to Kyoto.” I pohat. “I’ll find some others who are levelling up, there’s always someone around. We’re safer together, anyway.”

  “I see. Well, good luck, Kana-! As always, I’m rooting for you!”

  “Root for Asami-. She needs it more than me.” Direg aether into my eyes to activate my Eyes of the Shrine Maiden was starting to give me a slight headache, but it was rgely successful, and for a moment I could sense a little of Mio-’s emotions, amused and expet. “After all, I’m Izumi Kana, Chosen of K?itigarbha, Shrine Maiden of Shirohebizumi, and therefore I’m not going to lose!”

  Mio- cpped excitedly. “I ’t wait to see how everything pys out. Well, that’s it. Today is the day I master earth element! Then you show me the ropes!”

  “Sure, it’ll be o be the teacher for once.” Speaking of, I o tih practisiher Healing aher Manipution. The new programme is really ing along. Trying to maintain the flow to my eyes, I gathered my thoughts and willed several small marbles ience. If I stopped trating ohey would vanish, scattering bato the aether from which they were made.

  “You make that look so easy…” Mio- sighed, and I couldn’t help but give her a cheeky smile.

  “Of course I do. I’m brimming with power now!” I boasted.

  “Well, pared to Shaeu or Hyath…” she grinned, and I mock-pouted.

  “That’s a low blow! But… well, I have one advahey don’t. I get there!”

  “And if you do, you’ll get praised and maybe even some head pats from…”

  “It’s not about that!” the marbles vanished as I was distracted, so I bit back a curse.

  “Oops, you lost your focus there, Kana-!” she teased me.

  “I’ll give you focus!” the ground turo mud and several globules shot at Mio-, harmless but dirty. As she elted, ughing, I found myself smiling. It’s happy days like these that are so precious. Which is why we have to be strong to protect ourselves, those that ’t. Eri-san was right about that. Disaster e in an instant. I don’t… I don’t ever want to be there just watg as Keomi-, Eri-san or anyone else suffers in front of me again… I’m no longer helpless, weak…

  ShipTeaser