"Best friend? You're his best friend?" Yua yelled out.
Her voice might just bust my ears.
"You're lucky! Actually no, more like he's lucky. Okayyyy now you'll have two!" She happily said as she sat up to hug me. "Very well." I replied
"Little snow, Yua. I think both of you can go home now. We'll end a little early today since I'm gonna focus on both of your duet's choreography." Ms. Celene greeted us with a warm smile when we looked up to see her.
"Oh, a little early today but okay. Seems like someone's very excited," Yua teased. "Also, little snow as a nickname is really cute. I'll call you that too from now on."
Just because I'm smaller..
"As you wish."
We tidied up and got ready to leave when Ms. Celene suddenly called me.
"Hibiki! I think you're forgetting something." Ms. Celene said while waving the figure skates she let me wear.
"Can I really have this?" I asked.
I love her hospitality from the payment to this, right now. But I think it's a little too much. "Doesn't something like that cost a lot?"
"That's not a problem for me. After all, I bought like twenty other shoes as an extra and for future students." Her face got filled with sadness but quickly turned happy.
I took the shoes, gave her a smile and bowed down.
"Thank you so much." She only replied by nodding.
I left first since Yua said that Ms. Celene's home and her home is the same way. I left the place and took my phone to check for any notification. There's one message from Xyla, asking me to come to a cafe with her, seems like something serious from the way she texted me.
⁰-⁰
This heavy feeling. It's heavier than I could imagine. How did I even end up in this situation..
In a cafe with little to no customer. Sitting at a table, while Xyla and Asami's across me.
They're not talking to each other and are just looking down at me. Literally since their both around the same height and is taller than me.
They're not talking but anyone that have eyes can sense that they don't like each other.
"Hibiki. Would you mind introducing who this is?" Asami asked me as she took a sip of her plain black coffee.
I was about to talk when Xyla gave me a look to stop.
"I'm Xyla Kaye Lavandine. Call me Xyla, it's nice to meet you." Xyla introduced herself to Asami with a soft smile.
...
Asami just took another sip of her coffee as a reply.. I guess.
"Say Hibiki. How many mourning women are you friends with?" Asami asked, still not caring about Xyla.
"What did you just say?"
"Just one."
"You actually answered that?" Xyla asked angrily, giving me another look. "Whatever, to this rude.. woman here. Could you just leave?"
"Oh, I'm rude?" Asami finally noticed Xyla. "Be careful with your mouth little lady."
"I think you, should be careful with yours little Ms. Dora."
My eyes were closed the whole time since Asami responded to Xyla. And now I have my eyes opened and Xyla already has her gun down Asami's chin.
"Calm down, Xyla." I calmly told her.
They just looked at each other, both not showing any emotions.
"Ugh, I feel like both of you are the same." Xyla said as she hid her gun.
"We are." Asami answered.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't feel emotions either."
...
"Hibiki.. he's a little weaker. If you ask me." Asami looked straight at me.
Although her look is soft I can feel the intensity of it.
"What do you mean by weak?" I looked at her sharply.
The situation's really bad, I don't think this is the main reason why we're here right now.
I sighed.
"Let's calm the situation down for a minute and let me talk first." I announced.
"Xyla and I was talking when you, Ms. Asami suddenly joined our seat without a word, also rudely replied to Xyla's introduction. Why is that?" Both I and Xyla's attention are on Asami who is still calmly sitting, holding her cup of coffee.
"I'm sorry,"
"Wow, this girl can actually say sorr-"
"That I didn't try to make the mourning woman leave." Asami cut her off.
"After all that, you're still rude?" Xyla scoffed at her.
"I'm not rude, this is just me. And I don't care what you think about it."
Xyla just rolled her eyes on her. Knowing that the situation shouldn't escalate even further.
"I'm sorry Xyla, just sit still okay? I need to talk to her first."
"Why not just make her sit on a different table?" Asami asked, before Xyla can even utter a word.
Xyla didn't say anything and just sat still. Her eyes closed, giving Asami the finger for a quick second.
"Fine."
"What is it that you want, Asami?" I asked.
"You shouldn't have done that. Death Plunges pawn, last night." Asami said with such an intense voice that I can't comprehend.
Xyla became more alert, she opened her eyes and just clenched her fists. Probably hesitating to get her gun ready.
"How do you know about this?" I asked.
"You don't have to know that. But just so you know, I'm not on anyone's side on this matter." She took a sip of her coffee.
"A war will take place, and you killed one of their pawns. The King and Queen have been alerted, on this game that they have layed themselves. The second Queen, an unfeeling entity. You're an outsider that joined their game." She took one last sip of her coffee and finished her drink.
"Be careful, a second queen this early in the game can't be good." She gave me a smile and stood up. Turning to Xyla who's intently looking at her.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Lavandine. The name's Asami En Onagawa. Call me Ami." She gave her a warm smile. It feels so warm and genuine, but again, her eyes can't hide the truth.
She left the cafe without even looking back at us, all while still wearing that 'warm smile'.
...
Xyla moved a little from where she's sitting to face me.
"Your coffee's getting cold." She pointed at my coffee.
She's right.
I took a sip of my coffee that has long lost its heat. I took a deep breath.
"Hibiki. Did you hear what that woman said?" Xyla asked, breaking the silence.
"Which part."
"That woman is very weird mind you. Answer me first, who is she?"
"Step sister, my dad's side."
"I understand. I kinda felt it already, that she's the same as you. Even before when she wasn't talking." Xyla took a sip of her tea. "Did you understand what she said, the chess game."
"I've never played it, care to explain?"
"It's simple, black and white fights. Two opposing sides. If a pawn reaches the opponents side then they can become a Rook, Bishop, Knight or a Queen."
Xyla folded her hands and crossed her legs.
"A war will take place. That's the thing that I wanted to talk to you about but little Ms. Dora said it before I could.. weirdo. That's why we're here. But what did she say about the other night?"
"I also planned on telling you that. Last night when I was coming home, Death Plunges sent someone to take me down. I used the knife on him."
"I see. Well, I did give you that to defend yourself against them specifically, good job? I guess? Ha, but I guess that interaction triggered something. She speaks weirdly but that's also a good thing. She obviously gave you information about the situation in chess terms to keep me from knowing. She's dumb if that's actually right because I'm the one who knows how to play chess." She took a sip of her tea again to calm down.
"Anyway. She called that person you used your knife on a pawn. She also said that the king and queen has been alerted. We both know that she called you a second Queen, an outsider. The Queen is the strongest piece in chess."
"Meaning.. we unintentionally entered a war because of what I did?" I asked, and took a sip of my coffee.
"Nah, it's kinda my fault since I gave you the knife but yeah." She said with a smile. "Don't worry, you have me. I've been planning to go against Death Plunges themselves for a long time now." Her smiled faded and turned serious. I wanted to ask her why but I stopped myself.
"Very well, then.." We've already entered a war and that's it, no turning back now. If so then I'll take Haru back. "I'll join you, I'll take Haru back."
"Oh yeah about Yamamoto. Your boyfriend right? I made my minions do some stuff and found out that he's still alive. They've been spying on sixteen members of Death Plunges and got information about him. They're really secretive and they rarely talk to each other outside so the only thing we know is that they have him, that's for sure." She said and fixed her veil.
"Thank you Xyla." I gave her a smile.
"Don't worry about it, we've both entered this war ourselves. It's better to have someone close." She patted my head while wearing a soft smile.
Xyla's a good person. I wonder what could've happened if I were never able to meet her..
"It's getting late.. the sun's setting," Xyla said. "You have it with you?" I nodded in reply. "It's better to be careful. After all, the King and Queen's already at full alert."
⁰-⁰
I actually feel like a criminal while avoiding those shady looking people.
While going home carefully, I can already see people fighting down some alleyways. They're probably the 'opponent' of Death Plunges in this 'game'.
I have no intention of knowing or getting involved much further in their war.
I only want Haru back.
There's a crowd in front of the entrance of my apartment.
I moved a little closer and it actually is Death Plunges. They probably came here for me. I need to get something back home though.
I already have a plan to get through them but that feeling came again.
I inched forward and every step I take, makes my legs feel wobbly and my breathing, faster.
I can clearly hear my heart beat louder. I gripped my jacket that I've been holding with my left arm, harder.
The feeling, the risk that I could die if I continue with what I'm planning to do is scaring me.
But I thought I could risk myself just for Haru? What's this feeling that is trying to stop me now?
I took a step back and hid again. I looked back at my apartment's door and they're trying to break it down. I have no time.
I left my hiding place and walked normally, knocking on my neighbors doors.
I felt their piercing gaze look down at me from my left, some of them mumbled something to each other and some gas started approaching me..
Squeak
The door opened.
"Oh, Hibiki-"
"Excuse me." I cut him off, my neighbor.
I walked past him, entering his apartment.
There's a girl on his bed, half naked. Bad timing..
"Hey man-"
"I'll be quick. Close the door." I gave him a sharp look, and he quickly did what I told him.
I walked towards the balcony's clear door. I opened it and a cold, soft breeze greeted me.
It's familiar.. but this is not the time for reminiscing.
I walked towards the side and stood on the balcony's rail.
I took a jump.
Ring
Ugh. My head's ringing.. but I need to fight it. Not now.
I finally reached my apartment's balcony.
I opened the clear door and saw Kade. Sleeping peacefully in my bed.
I looked around but they haven't entered yet.
"Kade. Don't make a sound." I said to my cat as I started wearing my orange jacket.
"Come inside." The front pocket is big enough to let her inside since she's also small. She followed my orders and settled in.
I walked towards my desk with its light still open, beside my bed. I turned the light off and noticed a pen being shined on by the moonlight.
It's Haru's pen.
Ring
--I unconsciously took his pen that is on his table and followed him outside, only to see him being surrounded by tall men while walking away.--
I shook my head to stop the ringing.
Yes. I remember taking this before he walked away with those guys.. did.. did they have a tattoo?
My thoughts got cut off as I heard them hit the door. I took Haru's pen and quickly hid behind the door to listen to them.
"The boss said that can't disturb any of his things."
"Bitch like I care about that. Let's just get this over with, people are walking back to their apartments at this hour."
"Feisty."
Click
They've unlocked the door from the outside.
I got my knife ready and wiped the sweat off my face.
The door slowly opened while I hid behind it. They quickly entered without making any sound.
One of them turned a little.
My heart skipped a beat and my legs, stuck in place. I clutched my chest tight.
I hate this feeling.
I tried to move but my right feet has gone numb.
...
One of them turned and saw me.
"Ah."
"Oh, he's th-"
I dragged my feet to turn off the lights. I felt them all turn towards my direction.
"Shit!" One of them shouted as they quickly approach the door I'm about to shut.
They purposely stuck their hand so as to not let the door close.
"Good evening.. and sorry." I said as I slashed their hand. They only yelled in reply as I closed the door and locked it.
I leaned against the wall to take a break but before I knew it.
Two gun shots have already pierced through the door.
"Just break it down!" One of them yelled as I ran down the hallway.
Meow
"Sorry, Kade." I whispered. Even my cat has been involved huh.
⁰-⁰
I kept running and running.
Breathing heavily, breathing faster every second and stopped.
Pew, I exhaled one deep breath. Finally, I've reached Xyla's old thrift store. Obviously it's closed.
I wiped off the sweat that's already dripping from my chin and entered the alley beside it. The back door of her old shop is lit up.
I approached the door and peeked from the small little window.
The door suddenly opened.
"Oh." Both of us uttered. Probably in shock for her, but definitely not me.