An Alliance Between Rivals

Chapter 3 - An Alliance Between Rivals

"I kind of figured you came from the future, but how?" Keisuke asked.

"Same way you did. I snuck into your space station and used your time machine thingy."

Noa tried making it seem like it was no big deal, but Keisuke furrowed his brow.

"What? Isn't that illegal?"

"We're friends, so it's fine!" Noa tried to cope, pouting.

“I don’t think that makes it legal though!”

“Well, what’s already happened, happened anyway.”

“Yeah, whatever. Can I ask some questions as well?”

“Go ahead.”

“What is your objective?”

When Keisuke said that, the mood became heavier and more serious. Noa took a few more blueberries and threw them into her mouth before gulping and looking straight ahead with determination.

“Same as yours. I want to save Cho-chan. We both love her after all.”

“Wait, you knew about that too!?” Keisuke exclaimed as he straightened up.

“Yeah…”

“But how? And how come neither Cho-chan nor I remember you when you clearly have a connection with us? Why does your company feel so familiar? And right after talking with you, why did I have a flashback of a memory that didn’t seem to be mine?”

“Woah, slow down a little! That’s a lot of questions at once,” Noa gestured with her hands.

“Sorry…”

“No, don’t be! You’ve always been the curious type. It’s a good quality of yours, and that’s what makes you smart.”

“Thanks, but that’s exactly what I mean. It feels like you know me already, yet I have no recollection of meeting you before today.”

“Right… I’ll try answering your questions, but I can’t answer them fully yet. All I can say is that your memories aren’t complete and that the reason as to why is related to an ability of the Blue Clan. As for that memory you saw today, it’s the first step to remembering everything, but I can’t say more or we’ll hinder our progress.”

“...” Keisuke tried taking everything in.

That’s not a lot, but it does make sense and answers my questions technically.

“If we want to save Cho-chan, we’ll need each other's help. I’ll need your help to regain the memories of both you and Cho-chan, and you’ll need my help against her murderer.”

Keisuke’s look darkened. He remembered that day like it was yesterday. 

The school’s debris in ruins after the explosion, the surreal crimson rain with the stench of blood, his black wolf tearing people apart, and the sinister smile on that guy’s murky face. The way he slaughtered everyone he could in Keisuke’s school still haunted Keisuke in his nightmares and in his wake. 

Later it was covered up as an accident, but the few people who survived and knew what had really happened never forgot the threat that lurked in the shadows.

“The last remaining survivor of the Crimson Clan... Andras.”

As Keisuke was slowly getting consumed by his own lament and hatred, Noa clapped her hands on Keisuke’s face, bringing him back to the present. She held his face like a sandwich as she uttered these words:

“We’ll avert that disaster together. Trust me.”

Keisuke’s thinking stopped as he laid back.

“Thank you… I’ve lost myself there for a second.”

Noa put up a peace sign with her left hand while once again picking up a blueberry with her right.

“No worries! We might be rivals in love, but I’m your ally in everything else.”

Keisuke wryly smiled and grabbed a blueberry too.

“I’m not going to give her to you that easily, okay? Be ready with all your might!”

“Hahaha! That’s more like it! Bring it on!”

Finishing all the blueberries, they lay down on the ground, staring at the ceiling.

“Today was refreshing, so thanks,” Keisuke spoke up.

“No problem. It’s been a while for me too,” Noa replied.

“So, how can I help with getting some memories back, even though I don’t know anything about them?”

“You just have to be there and basically act as a catalyst.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are certain triggers for these memories. And in order to trigger them, we just have to relive some stuff together. As for what to do, just leave them to me. Just be yourself, enjoy the peaceful moments and remember.”

“And how will we deal with the crimson guy?”

“My physical body might be the same as the original timeline, but I’ve learnt all the arts of the Blue Clan after that day. Replicating them shouldn’t be that hard, even with this body. You also studied a bunch, right? Like weapons that could rival the abilities of the Niji Clans.”

“Yeah, but we’ll need materials and equipment for that. It’s also not really legal to own such weaponry.”

“Yes, I know. We’ll need to prepare thoroughly and carefully consider our options.”

The setting Sun’s rays gently shone through Noa’s window, caressing Keisuke’s cheek.

“All right. I think I’ll head home then,” said Keisuke, standing up.

“Okay. I actually have something we can do as the next steps for memory hunting, but that can wait for tomorrow after school. We both need proper rest too.”

“Got it. See you tomorrow then, Noa-chan!”

“Yep! See you too, Kei-kun!”

Noa accompanied Keisuke until the door, where they waved at each other and parted ways. Walking towards his home, Keisuke put his hands in his pants’ pockets. The botanic neon lights started to light up the streets, which gave him a nostalgic feeling just like before.

I need to take everything in. If Noa-chan came after us, then Sakura should be fine. I wonder what tomorrow has in offer...

Keisuke breathed in heavily as he finally reached his home. Entering the house, he saw that no one was home as usual. He went up to his room and flopped down on his bed, soon entering unconsciousness.

The next day went by normally. At least that’s what Keisuke thought until his last lesson ended, when Noa turned toward him and Cho.

“Hey, you two! Wanna go on a date together?”