Chapter Text
It’s the middle of the day, yet the aura around a particular building is as jet black as the opening of a thriller mystery novel that class zero stands before their expressions ranging from minor annoyance to fear. Armed with cleaning supplies, it seems clear that they are to perhaps clean this building –which should be noted is structurally sound, but old –windows are intact, but dusty and worn, grass grows, but is tangled with weeds and so on. It is, or, well could be a useable place with a little bit of elbow grease, so it’s not out of the realm of reason that the class with their many hands could clean up shop, but the overwhelmingly terrifying aura exuding from the house has probably (read most likely) chased many away from doing so leading the house to its current state. SHIRO who is one of the annoyed onlookers plops a mop on the ground and cocks his head.
SHIRO:
This looks pleasant.
CROW:
Shrugs.
I guess at one point it was pleasant, but man they really let it go, huh?
AQUA:
It is rather terrifying, though.
KIIRO flexes his arms and points at himself proudly.
KIIRO:
I’ll have ya’ll know I ain’t scared of stuff like this, not when there are profits to be made, ya hear?
TOTO perks up and nods while holding his sister close.
TOTO:
But of course! Justice knows no fear!!
CROW, SHIRO, and AQUA note his buckling knees, and out of kindness do not comment.
KURO:
How on earth did we get saddled with cleaning the HE2L building?
SHIRO:
….HE2L? You do realize what that spells out right?
REI who is leaning on KURO makes a face.
REI:
Of course you twit. Don’t you understand what irony is?
SHIRO:
I do understand my fist in your face if you talk to me like that again.
NITROS comes between them and waves his hands.
NITROS:
Guys, guys, there’s no need for that okay? If anything we should be blaming teach for getting us into this mess.
KURO:
Oh right, he was the one who “volunteered” us. On that note, where is he?
SHIRO:
Out being an ass to someone else, I’ll bet. I really wish they had let us in on that meeting to give our two cents. Seriously, why do adults get to make all the decisions?
AQUA:
Normally I’d disagree, but it really isn’t fair…at the very least he should be here too.
SHIRO:
Well, at least we know one person here must love this whole situation.
As if on cue the class turns to BELL who has traded her normally luxurious gothic wear for a simple one piece tracksuit –although it is completely black. Surprisingly enough she’s turn away from them and seems to be shivering…?
KURO:
Uh, Bell? You okay?
He reaches over to her and she nearly jumps ten feet into the air upon contact.
KURO:
Bell? Everything okay?
BELL turns to the group her eyes filled with tears of terror and is barely able to mumble something..
BELL:
I’m scared….I wanna go home.
EVERYONE:
Huuuuuh?!
Opening theme: As long as I am me….
Is it because I am me, that I know powerlessness and loneliness?
If I were someone else, would I still have experienced misfortune?
Would shooting stars in the sky and the moon in the skies look different from another’s point of view?
The dreams and wishes I’ve embraced hard enough to break –would they still be as meaningful?
The little things; my height complex, stubbornness, and how I wear my heart on my sleeve,
Are all a part of me. Light at times, heavy at others, but never more than I can shoulder.
I know I face forward only because I don’t want others to see these tears of frustration,
And I run forward --I’m too stubborn and prideful to give up, because until the end I will be me.
Tripping and falling along the way only means I have a new starting point to begin.
The soil I kick up as I run is the only time I’ll stop and smell the flowers.
As long as I am me, even if others snicker under their breath, I won’t stop, and won’t be stopped.
Episode 13: Haunted Havoc.
Turning back the clock a day, we find REGULUS nodding off during a meeting with SHOUT, EIN, BONGO, and MERCY, unaware of what they’re discussing –apparently his early training regimens with SHIRO had been more draining than he had expected, although lately the warrior had noticed he was feeling tired more often than usual. Although he hadn’t thought about it too much, maybe it was worth consideration that coming back from the dead had affected him in ways that weren’t readily apparent? For now at least he would just have to hope that it’s his nights staying up too late reading REI’s books were the root of his problem and not something more concerning. REGULUS continues to silently doze until BONGO taps him on the shoulder and to his chagrin he jerks up quickly and noticeably enough that everyone in the room can tell he was asleep.
BONGO:
He wasn’t paying attention, da bongo.
REGULUS:
What? No, no. I was. I’m totally attentive to the matters you’re discussing here.
SHOUT:
Really now? Then, what’s your answer?
The group eyes him expectantly and REGULUS always being one to think on his feet quickly responds in a way that uses all of his experience, and isn’t at all off the cuff.
REGULUS:
Y---Yes?
There’s a pregnant silence after this before MERCY breathes a sigh of relief.
MERCY:
Better your class than mine, I suppose.
REGULUS eyes her.
REGULUS:
What?
EIN:
I respect a teacher who can make a decision based on the needs of the whole rather than the few. Though, I don’t think you’ll be very popular with your students.
REGULUS turns to him, his anxiety building slightly.
REGULUS:
Wait, what?
SHOUT:
It’s going to really be a big help to us though! Ah, when I first got the news I thought we’d really be in big trouble and might have to cancel the events, but…
She takes REGULUS’s hands and shakes them vigorously.
SHOUT:
Thank you soooooo much!
REGULUS is trying hard to keep up but is almost completely overwhelmed now.
REGULUS:
W—what?
BONGO:
I respect your decision, and have come up with something to help your class, da bongo.
REGULUS:
What? What?!
BONGO hands REGULUS what seems to be a blue and purple flashlight.
BONGO:
Just have the students shine this around before they walk in. I’ll keep them safe from harm.
REGULUS looks down at the flashlight confused and nearly drops it when it starts talking in a high pitched voice.
FLASHLIGHT:
Dammit you big lummox, I keep telling you not to modify me any way you want! What is it this time some kind of spiritual spectrograph?! Lemmie tell you something, I ain’t afraid of no gho—
BONGO takes the flashlight, flicks it off and places it downward on the table before REGULUS.
BONGO:
Maybe …don’t turn it on until you need it, da bongo.
REGULUS sweats at this, as EIN nods sagely.
EIN:
I leave it to you to break the news to your students, Regulus.
REGULUS gives everyone in the room a pensive stare before shrugging, and nodding.
REGULUS:
‘Kay, but go over what I need to tell them one more time.
***
Now inside the students glance around at the cobweb infested, dirt submerged, apparently forgotten by time old building. KURO glances around, feeling in the darkness for a light until he bumps his foot on something heavy and nearly trips over it.
REI:
Kuro! Are you hurt?
KURO:
Nah, I just almost fell over this thing that feels…weird…who’s got the flashlight teach gave us?
CROW perks up.
CROW:
My bad, dude.
He turns it on and shines it before KURO to find what seems to be a rolled up rug with…an arm sticking out of it. KURO yelps and hops backwards, an action REI fawns at as KIIRO frowns and marches over to the offending object, unwrapping to find a mannequin.
KIIRO:
Someone’s got a pretty jacked up sense o humor, honestly.
NITROS:
I just can’t believe that the other building we usually use for the family day festivities is under renovation and we’re stuck using H2EL…
CROW:
Believe it. I suppose we should be more upset teach volunteered us for this gig, but that won’t change what we have to do really, so let’s just get started.
SHIRO:
From afar.
Sounds like a plan, but…
They glance at him and notice BELL is in his arms shivering with her eyes shut.
SHIRO:
I can’t work under these conditions.
AQUA:
Bell, are you going to be okay?
BELL opens her eyes and looks up at SHIRO who returns her glance with a languid one of his own. She blinks a few times, blushes and slowly gets down before nodding rapidly.
NITROS:
Hey there’s no need to be ashamed. I mean, everyone’s at least a little scared…even Kidd.
They give a look to KIDD who –contrary to their words seems very calm as he takes a mop and begins scrubbing the floor near the door.
CROW:
I’ve never seen that dude so panicked before. It’s a little relieving to know that he feels the same thing we do from time to time.
The masked student silently walks past and up a nearby stairwell with a duster of their own, indicating that they too want to get this work done and leave.
TOTO:
I’m not terrified or anything, but I agree! We should get our assignment over with!
KIIRO:
Ya’d be more convincing if ya weren’t holdin’ onto yer lil’ sister like a scared koala hangs onto a tree come nighttime.
True enough TOTO is hanging onto AQUA with gusto.
TOTO:
JUSTICE PROTECTS ITS YOUNGER SIBLINGS.
AQUA sighs and pats her older brother’s head gently.
KURO:
I guess it wouldn’t hurt to split up in pairs?
NITROS:
Hrmm, that’d leave one of us short, though.
SHIRO:
I’m fine doing this alone.
KURO:
You sure bro? Though you seem the most…blasé here, honestly.
SHIRO:
Eh, I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.
CROW:
Playfully.
Let me guess, cause you’ve been through some things?
SHIRO shrugs.
SHIRO:
The truth is the truth, my fine-feathered friend.
SHIRO lifts up a bucket and mop while sauntering away.
SHIRO:
You guys can take care of things here, I’ll go clean the inner rooms.
KURO:
Wow, I’ll admit I’m a little jealous of how unaffected by all this he is…
REI:
Are you jealous of anything elseeee?
KURO sighs but gives REI a smile.
KURO:
If you’re talking about that kind of thing, no.
REI snaps her finger and makes a “so close” sound, while the others get choose places to clean and get to work – all while BELL stares after SHIRO with an unmistakable look of envy in her eyes.
***
TOTO:
Ahhh, I’m tired…
AQUA stops scrubbing a wall as her older brother leans against the opposite side.
AQUA:
Just a bit more Toto, we’ll be done before you know it.
TOTO:
No, no, I mean of this pursuit of Bomberman’s name.
AQUA gives him a look.
AQUA:
Ah.
And then returns to cleaning.
TOTO:
What’s with that mildly disinterested reaction?! This is a big deal for me, and I’d think my little sister would be more receptive!
AQUA answers while cleaning.
AQUA:
Well, it’s not your name to begin with, so it’s not really “giving up” when you decide to stop bothering Shiro about it.
TOTO:
That’s true, but, but…I hate my name! What were our parents thinking?! I need a name that strikes the fear into those who have strayed away from the path of JUSTICE! Toto’s just not gonna cut it!!
AQUA:
I feel like this is an obvious solution, but why not think of your own new name then?
TOTO regards her dismissively for a moment.
TOTO:
Of course I thought of that, dear sister, but how can I possibly think of a name that burns as red hot as my desire for JUS—
TOTO tilts his head in thought for a moment.
TOTO:
That’s not bad, actually…I could work with this!
AQUA gives him a patient smile and continues cleaning.
TOTO seems invigorated by his discovery and opens a door in the hall into a room to clean when he sees something dart by quickly and is filled with terror once again.
TOTO:
A—Aqua, d-d-did you see that?!
AQUA steps over to the room and glances around giving TOTO a look.
AQUA:
You’re not much good for justice if you’re scared of everything, Toto.
TOTO:
I’M NOT SCARED! THERE WAS SOMETHING THERE!
AQUA:
Yes, yes, I believe you Toto.
Little do they know that behind them, a ghastly shape is taking form with red glowing eyes and sharp jagged mandibles all ready to bear down on the two. Meanwhile SHIRO has found a ladder leading up to an attic that he explores a bit rather than cleaning.
SHIRO:
Geez, how long has it been since they’ve used this place? I mean, I get that it’s creepy and everything, but they’d really have to ignore it for it get this bad…
He finds half a broken signboard covered in dust that he picks up and cleans off, but unfortunately all this reads is “ground”.
SHIRO:
Oh that’s helpful.
He pauses for a minute and speaks to someone behind him without turning around.
SHIRO:
While there might be things in here that go bump in the night, I promise I don’t bite.
BELL who is on the ladder behind him ducks down out of sight at first, but after a moment of silence pokes her head up again slowly and gives SHIRO a look.
BELL:
…N..not that you have to allow me to if you don’t want to or anything, but would you allow me to accompany you?
SHIRO glances back and shrugs.
SHIRO:
Eh.
BELL is overjoyed by his answer and leaps up past the ladder to SHIRO.
SHIRO:
There’s not much going on here though. I just came to explore.
BELL:
Not a problem! I can accompany you wherever you intend to go, brave warrior!
SHIRO frowns
SHIRO:
What is this, a gentle parody of JRPGS?
BELL:
Head tilt.
I don’t think so?
SHIRO drops the signboard as he turns to BELL.
SHIRO:
I guess since you’re here I can ask…what’s got you so terrified? I thought you were into the dead and stuff like this?
BELL:
Smugly.
A common misconception to the unenlightened. What I specialize in is the reanimation of the undead! The soulless husk left over once the soul has evacuated the body and gone back to its place among the wheel of samsara!
She then lowers her voice.
BELL:
Actual spirits scare the flippin daylights out of me, man. They’re unexplainable! Why remain here on this plane of existence when the body itself is no longer inhabitable?! Leave me my zombies, foul specters!
SHIRO:
…So in short, you don’t like ghosts, but you’re okay with zombies.
BELL responds with a vigorous thumb up.
SHIRO:
…I guess there’s a difference I don’t care to understand, maybe.
BELL:
Actually, now I must know why you’re so unbothered by ghosts….
SHIRO:
Simply put, they’re the manifestation of leftover regrets –as in Ghosts only exist because of something that went majorly wrong in their lives. Do I look like the kind of guy who has time to let other people’s regrets bother me? And assuming I did have that kind of free time….why would I?
BELL’s eyes twinkle in admiration for SHIRO that he finds equal parts adorable and off-putting so he glances away and points at the latter.
SHIRO:
I—In any case, we’ve got stuff to clean. If ghosts do exist, if we know their regrets we can deal with them like any living person.
SHIRO’s eyes darken in sadistic glee.
SHIRO:
And the living all have their weaknesses, heh, heh, heh.
BELL:
Although your motives are questionable, I admire you nonetheless, brave warrior!
SHIRO:
Wow, and I thought that there was no name I’d hate more than ‘Bomberman’…
They make their way down the ladder while CROW and KIIRO dust off a stairwell. Things are mundane at first, but then a cold wind passes through suddenly. KIIRO holds himself shivering as crow glances around for the source of the temporal discomfort.
CROW:
Weird man…it’s totally a sunshiny day outside despite this looking like hell’s basement, and even it were cold out, all the windows are closed.
KIIRO:
Shivering.
Why not use that there flashlight we got from teach, yeah?
CROW glances down at the flashlight in his hand and shrugs, flipping it on.
FLASHLIGHT:
Shiiiiiine, nothing here, just a corpse.
KIIRO jumps back, alarmed by this.
KIIRO:
Yer kiddin!?
FLASHLIGHT:
Sure am, hahaahaha.
KIIRO:
Crow, could ya hand me that thing so I could snap it over my knee?
CROW glances down at the flashlight, and then back at KIIRO.
FLASHLIGHT:
Heeeeeey! Don’t get all quiet like you’re actually thinkin’ about it! Sure there isn’t a corpse, but there is a monster!
KIIRO:
Like hell there is! Hand it over Crow!
CROW shines the flashlight at KIIRO his expression blank. KIIRO blinks and shields his eyes from the shine, before turning around himself and seeing –something behind him.
KIIRO:
Yer kiddin’ me…
SHIRO makes his way down the hall with a mop strapped to his back and BELL following close behind with a bucket of water. She had insisted that SHIRO wield his weapon like a brave hero should, and he not being used to someone as fervent as her following him had reluctantly followed orders although now that he thinks about it, he feels really silly, and the silence as she dutifully follows him only makes this awkwardness grow.
SHIRO:
So, uh, what exactly are we cleaning this place up for? Nitros mentioned family festivities or something?
BELL:
Gasps.
You don’t know, brave warrior?
SHIRO:
What aversion do you people have to calling me “Shiro”? And no, let’s assume I don’t.
BELL:
I just thought on account of your close relationship with our teacher that he would have told you…
SHIRO:
We’re not…whatever. Mind giving me the deets?
BELL salutes.
BELL:
Aye, aye! It’s a gathering where the families of the cadets come to see their progress! At first it was just a quiet event, but eventually it became a ceremony of sorts. We usually have it in another building, but that one is under repairs, so they asked us to clean this one –or so it seems!
SHIRO:
Growling.
That asswipe knew this and he didn’t tell me? Figures, now how am I going to look if I don’t invite my grandma and uncle to this and on such short notice?
BELL:
Well…the festival was announced on our electronic ID’s, brave warrior, sir.
SHIRO:
….I really need to get into the habit of checking that thing.
A crash rings throughout the hall followed by yelling and shaking. SHIRO and BELL trade glances, ditch their cleaning supplies and run towards the sound of the noise where they find KIDD firing off a bomb and the masked student lighting it aflame as they target a strange mass of…red..something in front of them. This mass has got KIIRO and CROW pinned to the floor as it seemingly forms into something else, KIDD and the mask’s student’s attacks going right through it. BELL almost immediately latches onto SHIRO, too terrified to make a sound, and from the main foyer, KURO, NITROS and REI show up hearing the noise as well.
KURO:
Whoa, what’s that thing?!
NITROS:
It’s got Kiiro and Crow?!
FLASHLIGHT:
Muffled.
And me you ingrates!!
REI:
I thought I heard someone else…
NITROS:
Nah it was probably a figment of your imagination.
FLASLIGHT:
Muffled.
You’ll pay for this, all of you.
The mass of something suddenly takes flight, while retaining its grip on KIIRO and Crow, slowly forming a torso in midair, and a head that is flipped in accordance to its body –something it fixes by slowly creepily spinning it’s head around, and forming a bright red skull and matching red top hat and suit as it forms on the top floor above seating KIIRO and CROW at a fancy table where AQUA and TOTO are seated, after which it forms at a nearby piano and appears to…play?
BELL:
Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh---
NITROS:
It looks like it’s about to play the piano, apparently?
SHIRO:
See? It was probably some kind of musician in a past life and remains behind because it tragically died before a show and now wants someone to listen to its song one last time. As long as we pretend to be interested, we’ll be absolutely fine.
KURO:
Are you sure, bro?
SHIRO:
Positive.
The thing taps one key on the old piano, and then plays an upbeat ditty that if everyone weren’t terrified, they’d probably really enjoy. Then it clears it’s throat(?) and begins to sing.
GHOST:
Balanced meals for beings from hell (like me!), are the key to underworld health~ And wouldn’t you know, I’m in the mood for souls~ Warm, fresh, worn and cold, I’ll eat ‘em all whether you be young or old! It’s a common misconception that once one’s dead, that they no longer need to worry about being fed, but the truth of the matter is, reaping the souls of the living and sautéing them is the greatest bliss~
SHIRO turns to everyone present, his affect flat.
SHIRO:
….I’ll admit I’m feeling less confident about what I said now.
It then plays a sharp note heard through the house, and the souls of the past rise wailing at the group in the house, a cacophony of noise threatening to break into their minds.
BELL:
Brave hero, what should we do?!
NITROS:
Kidd and Mask’s attack didn’t affect that thing so can we really fight it?!
SHIRO:
When all else is facing impending failure, you kick ass.
BELL:
Sir?
KURO:
What exactly are you going to do?
SHIRO prepares to run up the stairs after the evil ghost, when a wailing soul appears in front of him and he bounces off of it like one would a mattress.
REI:
It would appear you are the one on the wrong side of an “ass whooping”, pup.
SHIRO stands up and rubs his face.
GHOST:
Don’t worry be happy~ Souls are good even if your life (and death) is crappy~ Just let me grab hooooold of your heart and soooooul.
SHIRO:
…I’m not sure what’s worse. Being insulted by Kuro’s girlfriend or these bland lyrics.
KURO:
She’s not my girlfriend!
SHIRO:
Why not just admit it? What, are you afraid the soul eating abomination might get the wrong idea or something?
KURO:
YES?!
REI:
Oh, I quite like this assertive side Kuro. Now tell him to kneel to you.
KURO:
WE. ARE. GOING. TO. DIE.
NITROS:
Shiro, what are we going to do? Your body might be willing, but these spirits are not weak! Not only that, it’s got Kiiro, Toto, Aqua and Crow up there, so our options are really limited!
BELL:
What about its unfinished business?
SHIRO:
Yeah, i—i-it’s pretty clear this thing’s living in the here and now, and if we don’t want to end up being invited to its dinner party for eternity we’re gonna have to put a bad ghost down.
KURO:
But our attacks don’t…
SHIRO:
I might have something up my sleeve, but figuring out how to make it work is gonna be a pain.
SHIRO glances around at his classmates and quickly formulates a plan.
SHIRO:
It’s pretty clear the head honcho is expecting us to roll up and die, which is why it’s got these souls surrounding it to keep us from getting close. While your attacks don’t work on it, who’s to say a little soul flame won’t go a long way?
KURO:
You want us to attack the souls directly?
SHIRO:
Yeah. I’ll try to work as fast as I can to get my ace in the hole working, but I’ll need you to keep these souls from getting in my way.
NITROS:
Okay. Kuro, mind lighting my flame?
KURO nods and he gestures toward KIDD and the masked student.
KURO:
We’re depending on you, bro!
SHIRO steps back as KURO wills a bomb and tosses it into the fray of soul that NITROS takes the flames of after the explosion and wills them into throwing stars. SHIRO thinks back to a certain Ghost controlling knight and wonders just how he can get her to help him?
SHIRO:
Thinking.
They say planning to fail is even stupider than regular planning –which I totally agree with. So rather than planning, I’m just gonna reach down into my memories and hope—
SHIRO makes a sour face.
SHIRO:
Dang, I really need better memories, geez.
He opens his eyes and ZONIHA is seemingly standing beside him arms crossed with one finger wagging condescendingly.
ZONIHA:
‘Bout time you figured out how outclassed you are.
SHIRO:
..Says the person who was killed by Regulus?
ZONIHA glares at him for a minute before punching SHIRO in the face, something that surprisingly hurts quite a bit.
SHIRO:
OW! Are you serious?! Ghost Boss said--
ZONIHA:
Blah, blah, blah. Are you going to go on about things that happened last season?
SHIRO:
You’re a figment of my imagination!?
ZONIHA:
Pfft, and who just got popped in the face by their imagination? *Makes swishing sound* Zoniha one, dumbass zero.
SHIRO:
ARE YOU GOING TO HELP ME OR NOT?!
ZONIHA:
I don’t respect you, so no?
SHIRO:
….Wait, this is one of those thinly veiled hints isn’t it…ah! You were running the ghosts by having them fear you and your power to purge them instead! That’s it, isn’t it?
ZONIHA’s eyes dart around and she shrugs.
ZONIHA:
Whaaaatever floats your boat, kiddo.
SHIRO comes out of this meeting of the minds, and charges toward KURO.
SHIRO:
Give me some height, bro!
KURO:
Huh?
SHIRO:
Cool dude express!
KURO’s confused at first, but comes to a realization after a moment.
KURO:
Like old times!
SHIRO nods, and KURO leans back, extends his arm, and grabs SHIRO, spinning with him, and using his arm strength to send him flying up the stairs at the ghost, barely managing to clear the banister. He shambles his way up to the ghost who has started a third bar of his song, and wills a bomb into existence.
SHIRO:
What’s one to do when you’ve got a hunger that snickers won’t satisfy? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! I’m opening a food truck and serving nothing but knuckle sandwiches!
As he says this, the forming bomb becomes a sphere of light, and the ghost stops playing his song to stare at SHIRO in fear.
GHOST:
I don’t like, all of this light….
SHIRO:
Sing song..
Oh well, cause I’m sending you back to hell.
He tosses it at the ghost and the ensuing explosion swallows them both while also blowing out the windows in the upper part of the house. The wailing spirits all fade as the light reaches down to them, and once it subsides the house itself –while still dirty seems less worn than it did upon their entry.
BELL:
He did it!
KURO:
But what’s with that light power?
TOTO, AQUA, KIIRO and REI awaken from their ghost-induced stupor to see SHIRO basking in light, taking a dab as he does so. KIIRO and CROW make a sour face as AQUA simply looks confused while TOTO’s eyes drip with…justice.
TOTO:
Choking back sobs.
It’s too beautiful….when I have my own amazing name I’ll be there…there as shining JUSTICE….
NITROS and the others look up at SHIRO as the light fades and with it the danger they had been in. If anything the “been through some things” that had been his standard answer to their inquiries before has now turned into a flat out phenomenon. What exactly had had he been through? It’s a question that would endure in their minds after the special he had shown them.
***
SHIRO:
Ah, now things make sense.
BELL:
Sir?
The group is out back cleaning when SHIRO finds the other side of the signboard, which reads “burial”.
KIIRO:
So they built this thing over a burial ground?
CROW:
Talk about clichéd.
REI:
And with that all the mysteries have been solved.
KURO:
Uh, no? Just because something was built on burial grounds doesn’t automatically mean it should be haunted? That’s just lazy writing pure and simple….it’s inherently relying on unexplainable stereotypes in a genre that’s already seeped in mediocrity!
FLASHLIGHT:
Okay, sure. Why don’t you cool your jets Siskel.
KURO:
Glaring.
Who said that?
NITROS snickers at the joke, which earns him KURO’s ire.
SHIRO:
…Right, mediocrity aside, we’re safe from ghosts. Let’s get this job done and get out of here, okay?
BELL:
W—wait, Sir!
SHIRO turns to BELL and is immediately smacked in the face by a classic 90’s era shoujo sparkle that seems to radiate from BELL who fidgets awkwardly under SHIRO’s attention.
NITROS:
Wait, no way…y’think Bell….
AQUA:
She and Shiro were alone together for a while….
KURO:
And she started calling him “sir” all of a sudden…but there’s no way she’d actually…
NITROS:
This is the kind of situation where those kinds of feelings are born though…
REI’s eyes burn with something akin to…jealousy?
REI:
Loose non-lips sink ships, and I cannot have my ship being sunk.
CROW:
Hey, he could do worse than having a girl who’s willing to buck societal and story norms by confessing in front of everyone.
There’s a sage nod between all of them as SHIRO gives the group a tired look.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Do they not realize we’re right here and can hear them?
He then glances at BELL who has her head down but shyly looks up at him, her face red from blushing.
BELL:
I just wanted to thank you for being so brave and saving everyone –and putting up with my cowardice, sir.
SHIRO:
Oh, uh…sure?
SHIRO glances away again, unsure of how to react when a girl is giving him this much attention, and bats away another sparkle.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Keep your expectations low, keep your expectations low, keep your expectations low…but she is kinda cute, NO, keep your expectations low….
BELL:
I, um…uh…I don’t know how else to say this but….
There’s a baited silence.
SHIRO:
Y—yeah?
BELL takes a deep breath.
BELL:
If you would have me…WOULD YOU PLEASE BE MY FRIEND??
The silence returns but for a completely different reason.
EVERYONE:
Thinking.
….Is that all…
CROW:
It’s a start, I suppose.
REI:
I won’t acknowledge it! There can only be one!
KURO:
…I’m telling you Rei, we’re not like that.
SHIRO:
Thinking.
I kept my expectations low and still got disappointed.
BELL is hiding her face in her hands and swinging around.
BELL:
I can’t believe I said it! Ahhh, it’s so embarrassing and daring!!
SHIRO:
Thinking.
Eh, I guess that’s what I came here to do so…
To BELL.
Sure, why not?
BELL:
Gasps.
Really!? Oh thank you sir! You won’t regret it!
SHIRO:
Enough with the sir thing, okay? Call me Shiro….that’s what friends do right?
BELL:
Of course, Shiro sir!
SHIRO can’t help but feel something warm in his heart upon this, but he hides it in a manly shuffle toward the house, with BELL merrily following him. The other members file in close behind to finish the cleaning for soon the family festival will be upon them, and with it a chance to show off their skills.
Ending Song: Passionate Orbit
Say, did you know, that heart beating in your chest…
Is a gift from the depths of this wide universe?
When we are born our guardian star breathes a silent prayer to the galaxy,
And in the break between dusk and morn, dyed silver-black hues it ends up in our hands.
As we experience our lives and are touched by the gentle but rusted hands of time,
Colors born from daily life drip from this gift from the galaxy yearning to be shared –to take orbit.
So when the time comes and your little universe yearns to orbit another’s –don’t be frightened.
Just clasp your hands together, and let those feelings bubble to the surface and become a star.
For each time two hearts intertwine and orbit one another,
A little more of the universe is filled with color.