[ A Couple Of Months Later ]
"Remember your training!" The coach's words bellowed, and within a second I ducked.
A fist flew over me and it quickly retracted. No time for hesitation, I turned around and gave my opponent a low kick. He dodged it just in time and flipped backwards, earning some distance.
He readied himself to a stance and charged. With a swift motion, he delivered a punch to the side of my face. Quickly dodging, I turned my body and caught the man's arm. Turning around, I twisted my hips and delivered a kick to his side.
He dodged it again and grabbed on to my arm. He spun around and pulled me closer. Getting nearer, I steadied my position and used the force from his pull to push me up.
A few feet of the ground, I kicked on his chest and propelled myself higher. Directly over him, I flipped back and landed behind him. Safely on the ground, I delivered another kick to his leg and jab to his back. He fell down and I took this oppurtunity.
I grabbed him by the hair and pushed him to the ground. I took my leg and secured him in place, my arms directly hovering over his face. For a minute we stayed at that position until the man laughed.
"Good job, Haru! It's only been a couple of months and you're already improving fast" He complimented as we sat up from the floor. I smiled at him and dusted off my uniform.
"That's it for our training. Meet me tomorrow" The coach bid his farewell and I nodded.
Even though I never socialized with him that much, he was still a good guy, and strong! I might've blocked him, but that was only because he didn't show his true power. He said, when I reach my final year he will truly fight me with all his strength.
I left the training grounds and took a shower. My parents already booked me the premium course, thus I can use all the facilities inside the gym, which was heavenly. My parents were totally the greatest.
I soaked myself in the cold water and rubbed off all the excess sweat and dirt from my body. Exiting out of the shower room, I took my uniform and started to dress myself.
Left here alone, I stared at the giant mirror in front of me. 5 years. It's been five years since I died and came here. I looked at myself up and down. Being in an anime world, I was pretty plain-looking.
I took the towel and dried off my hair. It was black just like my hair before. My eyes fixed at my reflection, it was brown, a trait I got from my mom. After my hair, I started drying my arms. My skin was brown, varying from lighter shades to darker ones at different parts of my body.
Done with examining myself, I finally put on my uniform and left the grounds. Arriving at the entrance, my parents were there at the car. They greeted me and I gave them each a kiss as they drove me to my school.
[ at school ]
The day started out just like any, though it was special in a way. It was lunch and the two kids were eating with me. They started hanging out with me every chance they get. I kept our relationship low-key but they still wouldn't budge.
It didn't help that my mom adored the two of them, so right now there was no getting rid of them. I don't hate them of course, but there was still a lurching feeling in my stomach that something bad would happen.
I shook those thoughts out of my mind. Today was a great day, a special day, a symbolic one at that. I took a deep breath and faced my two... friends? You know what, there practically my friends.
"So today's my birthday" I said calmly, and they seemed to stop at that. We're birthdays forbidden in this world or what? "So I'm having a party after school and I invite you both to come"
"Really! Oh you should've told us earlier. We could've brought you a present!" Denki smiled and I chuckled at that.
"Yeah, we need time to prepare!" Jiro added, clearly she was thinking of what to buy.
"No need for presents" I retorted. "All I need is you. Bring your family, the party's at six in my house" They nodded and we continued with our lunch. I couldn't help but smile at their reactions after being invited.
[ Later... ]
I was in my room preparing for my party. My mother brought me a white polo and black slacks. She combed my hair back, which was not a lovely experience. I examined myself in the mirror and I couldn't help but admirer my dashing self.
"Haru! Come down your friends are outside" My mom called from below.
I turned around to exit my room when a tug at my chest stopped me. I looked around, but there was nothing. I could've sworn there was something pulling me. I patted my chest again and at that a loud roar envaded my ears.
I clutched my head and I leaned on to the wall. My eyes started glowing as the mist spread out around me. I looked around to find my room still empty.
The mist danced around and it transformed into a mini feline. It danced around my fingers and stared at me.
"What the..." I muttered to myself. Although I managed to summon an Ashe, I still haven't gotten them to fully materialize for more than 2 minutes!
Usually they would just disappear and reappear when I did my moves. They never stayed for too long though, and never with a mind of it's own.
I tried to touch it but my mom called again. The mist disappeared and my eyes stopped glowing. That was weird, but I have no time to think about that.
I decided to put that thought for later and tried to enjoy my party.
The Kyouka's were a laid-back bunch. Jiro's father was a musician, which was obvious for how Jiro would end up in the future. Compared to other parents, they seem lenient towards Jiro, which is weird since she seems to be very docile and collected.
Oh the other hand , the Denki's were just as flamboyant as their son. They remind me of those old, wealthy couples who never had a son but wished for one. They were pretty nice and they carried the same aura of positivity as Kaminari had.
The three of us started talking for a while until my mother urged everyone to eat. I momentarily gasped at how much food there was. It literally covered up the two-meter table we had.
How are we gonna finish this? It seems I wasn't the only one surprised, my dad was shaking at how much food there was.
All of us sat together and we dug in. The Kyouka's were more drawn to the chicken, while the Denki's seemed to savour the sea foods. Kaminari on the other hand was taking one of everything, causing me to laugh inwardly.
It didn't help that his mom told him to eat slowly since he was practically shoving everything into his mouth. I smiled at the people in this room; even though I tried to avoid them, it is nice to be around them.
After dinner was of course cake, I smiled at the stars forming in Kaminari's eyes. After I blew out the candles, everyone took a slice. It tasted like paradise, the soft cake coupled with the creamy chocolate filling, really made this an experience to die for.
Once that was done, it was time for the final part, presents. I told them they didn't have to bring any, but of course they did. First it was Jiro who got me a set of art materials.
"I heard you said you were into drawing, so I thought...you know" She was red by now and I just giggled and thanked her.
Next was Denki who held a 3 foot long painting. Taking a closer look, it was a painting of me, surrounded by Ashe's of animals.
"Wow..." I was actually speechless "When did you have time make this?" I questioned, my eyes still looking at the detailed painting.
"Oh my parents know a guy with a quirk that allows him to paint really fast" Kaminari rubbed the back of his neck and I nodded. This was certainly something.
For the final two gifty, each of my parents handed them to me. First one was two things, it was a circular tube that fit in my palm with a button. I grabbed it and placed my thumb on the button. When I pressed it, both the tubes extended to become steel batons!
"What do you think son!?" My dad asked "We couldn't give you actual weapons. But these are cool right?" They waited for my reply. I was busy examining the batons, swinging it around and surprisingly, it was actually good
It was light-weight and swinging it around did not cost my arms to ache. I smiled at the weapons and both my parents grinned.
"I love it" I said and they both nodded.
The final present was a small box. I removed the wrapping and opened it. My mouth dropped at the sight inside. Both the Denki's and the Kyouka's looked at what was inside.
"How..." I said, inside the box was a replica of the tantu totem.
"We saw you draw it alot. So we brought one of your drawings to a famous craftsman and he managed to replicate it" My mom said excitedly. "So what do you think?"
I was quiet for a moment. The amulet in front of me was made with a golden-colored metal. The fox-head pendant shined in the light, the fang-like ornaments that lined the necklace was just as I envisioned it.
I felt the necklace in my hands. The pendant's eyes were that of a ruby-like stone. Or maybe it was a real ruby. I looked at it once more and then to my parents. I stared at them and jumped.
I felt there warm embrace around me and tears streamed in my eyes. In their hug, I almost forgot we had guest. I wiped the tears off and put the amulet on. When I looked at myself in the mirror, a sense of pride washed over me.
We continued on with our party until it was time to leave. I changed for bed and before I entered my room I hugged my parents one last time. The totem was still on my neck, from now on I promise to never take this off!
Entering my room, I turned off the lights and went to sleep. The memories of the party replayed in my head and a smile painted over my face. My eyes grew lazy and my limbs numb, with that I disappeared.
———————————————————
I woke up to the sounds of roars in my head. My face was sweaty and I was panting. I looked around my room to see it was midnight. The chilly breeze entered my room through an open window, I closed my eyes when a growl entered my ears.
I turned around to see the Ashe of a tiger staring at me. It stood on the window, it's glowing red eyes seemed to pierce through my soul. We exchange glances until the tiger motioned for me to follow it.
What the....
I was hesitant, it was the middle of the night and if I was caught, then it would be bad. However, the tiger stared at me, although it looked threatening, deep in it's eyes I could feel it was a call for help.
"I'm gonna be so screwed" I muttered to myself, chuckling at my predicament.
Shaking my head, I stood up. I quickly changed into a black outfit. I put the two batons into each of my pockets and stood at the window. The tiger was now on the roof of the building across our house.
I climbed up the window, the totem gleamed under the moonlight. With a deep breath, I tapped my chest. The mighty roar of the cheetah engulfed my body. Preparing myself, I jumped off the window and onto the roof.
The tiger ran towards the city and I followed. Wisps of white smoke left my trail as I followed the tiger. We made our way across the roofs of buildings, the light of the moon illuminating our path.
We passed buildings and made our way onto the docks. The tiger stopped in front of a desolate warehouse. The tiger looked at me, he motioned to the inside of it and disappeared.
"Well thanks for the help..." I muttered under my breath.
Looking at the building, a chill appeared in my stomach. Oh come on Haru! You're already here! With that, I summoned the chameleon and disappeared into the night.
Jumping of the roof, I climbed up the side of the wall. Examining the building, it was old and unused, though I could hear murmurs and footsteps from inside. Nearing the building's roof, I found a gap between the wall.
Sliding through, I made my way in. The building was filled with dust and I had to keep myself from sneezing every 5 minutes. I climbed up the support beams and into the main room of the building.
Inside, there were cages filled with exotic animals. What really caught my eye though was at the center. Inside a cage, an albino tiger paced around, hissing at anyone who would come near.
The place was covered with people wearing masks, each of them had a gun and a tranquilizer. They probed around the place, making sure no animal escaped
'Poachers?' I thought to myself. It seemed the Ashe of the tiger wants me to save them. Though what bothered me was how did that Ashe came to be. It was certainly not mine, was it someone else?
I shook at that thought. If there was someone, Anansi would have brought it to the spirit world. Focusing on the animals, I thought of a way to get them out.
There were currently 20 cages. If I try to open one, the guards will of course catch me.
'Looks like I have to disable the guard first' I thought to myself. I figured out there were 5 patrolling guards, and two guards stationed at each of the two exits.
Disappearing into the darkness, I crawled my way to the ground. Waiting for the guards to be alone, I made my move. Appearing behind them, I jabbed their necks. Powered by the chameleon, the guard fell immediately.
I did the same to the other 4, and the ones stationed at the exits. Now that the guards were unconscious, I ripped apart the cages and let the animals out. One by one, they escaped and they seemed to nod at me before they left.
With all of them gone, all that was left was the albino tiger. The tiger hissed at me, but it stopped. It stared at me for a while before purring. I couldn't help but shake at how adorable it was. I calmed myself down and destroyed the bars.
The tiger made its way out, and as a sign of peace, it lowered its head. I lowered mine in return and walked with it outside. At the docks, the animals gathered around.
They were squirming around until the tiger roared. They stopped what they were doing and stared at me. I sweated at all the eyes, but soon calmed myself down.
'Calm on Haru, these are just animals...' I thought to myself and posed myself in front of them.
"Well, there's a department that handles wildlife in the cities. If we want to return you guys back to your homes than we need there help" As if they understood me, they nodded and left.
Well that was easy. Wait do they even know where that is? I started to get nervous at the thought of exotic—and probably endagered—animals running around the city. The tiger seemed to sense my worry and nudged me in the side.
"You think it'll be fine?" I asked, and the tiger just nodded. The tiger walked forward and it lowered its head, a sign of farewell.
I nodded my head in return and the tiger disappeared along with the animals.
What the hell just happened?
That was the thought that ran across my mind. Well there's no point in questioning it, so I might as well just let them go.
I prepared myself to leave when I sensed a presence behind me. I tapped my chest, but before I could summon anything, a jolt of pain hit me from the back.
"To late kid." Someone hissed as my vision turned black.