Chapter 8 : The Price Of Friendship

The day had continued to pass for Celia like a blur, the subjects mostly foreign to her. Excluding Maths, in which her world had the same baselines as this one's.

Science had completely fascinated her, showing her things of wonder and explaining concepts she couldn’t quite grasp yet but we're certainly interesting.

Today's lesson on electricity especially struck a cord with her, the mechanics of it reminding her of her own abilities and she wondered if there were even more variations of her power she could explore.

Now, right before lunch she was enjoying the most recent lesson of the day: Physical Education.

Here she could shine, her elven heritage enabling her to go far beyond her other classmates and whilst she struggled with sports like ‘basketball’ her overall athleticism came in clutch when it mattered.

Although she was quite embarrassed that so many people were staring at her physical prowess, even Haru was impressed by her abilities, although not surprised in the least considering what he had seen her do in the past.

“You're a total freak Celia-chan!” Ozu shouted, hands on his waist in shock after she dunked the ball in the basket.

Celia froze, her body mid-step, mind racing in apparent discomfort.

“Ozu-kun! That's not cool. Can't you tell you made Marisol-chan cry!?” Aoko reprimanded him harshly, her sharp glare making him shiver in fear.

Haru’s sharp gaze didn't help his nerves either. “Sorry, Celia-chan. It was a figure of speech, what you did was great!” Ozu apologised profusely, repeated deep bows ensuing.

Celia regained her breath, body returning to motion as she turned to face him — eyes kind, a soft yet anxious smile on her lips — “It's alright Ozu, you just reminded me of something, is all.” She waved him up, not enjoying the greater attention his pathetic bows were causing.

“Yeah, bro, you hear that. Now let's go have a lil’ chat outside, shall we.” Haru’s strained smile was clearly fake, hiding his apparent annoyance.

A rough arm wrapped over Ozu’s shoulder, pulling the anxious boy out of the gym and for a quick ‘nonviolent’ chat.

“Apologies Marisol-chan, Ozu sometimes doesn't watch his words y'know.”

“It's okay Ao—I mean Himeno-chan!”

“It's alright you can just call me Aoko if it's easier, that's what you guys do in Britain right?”

I assume so…?

Celia nodded politely, validating Aoko's guess.

“Do you mind if we talk for a moment Marisol-chan?” Aoko asked again, her own group of friends looking at her in sudden surprise.

Celia nodded before they walked off the main court and into the girl’s bathroom. Making up an excuse to the Teacher that Celia didn't know where the bathroom was.

“So… Marisol-chan.”

“If it's easier you can call me Celia as well, Aoko.”

“Mhm, thank you, anyways… I don't know how to say this…”

The room got colder.

“Your boyfriend, Haru, asked me out yesterday. I said no, but…”

Aoko trailed off, talking about other details that Celia already knew about.

But what Celia could not comprehend was…

What's the problem with that?

“I don't see a problem with that.”

“HUHHHH!!!”

“I mean if he wishes to court you, that's none of my business.”

Aoko’s mouth further dropped.

“So you don't have a problem with your boyfriend having more than one girlfriend?”

“I mean of course not, he has his own sense of agency, who am I to restrict him.”

Aoko's eyebrow lifted.

“Is that what you guys do in England?”

Celia thought harder, if England was similar to Aurelias’ culture then she may as well answer honestly.

“Well I suppose it would be weird if women had more than one boyfriend, that could cause complications. But a man having more than one girlfriend is fine as long as he respects their boundaries… he can only marry one woman though the church would not allow multiple wives.”

Aoko didn't know how to respond to this ‘cultural’ difference.

“I see… Well, I rejected him the other day anyway, we were not particularly close enough that I felt comfortable dating him.”

“Yes. I heard.”

“I don't know enough about him, he's quite quiet and doesn't have many friends.”

“Yes, I get the sense he prefers his own solitude as well.”

“But I am interested, why did you choose to be his girlfriend?”

“Well, if I'm honest, my reasons are quite weird.”

Aoko tilted her head in curiosity.

Celia’s eyes gazed out the bathroom window and into the sky. “Of course he is very kind, but in truth he reminded me of another man I know. Older and more mature, strong and righteous like none other — and willing to hand anyone who required a helping hand, whilst also being able to stand up for himself and others around him. A perfect leader.”

“And Haru reminds you of him?”

“Indeed.”

“I don't see it but fair enough, maybe I need to get to know him more as well.”

“Yes I believe it would be beneficial.”

“Although I'm not gonna start dating him anytime soon, I don't like to share boyfriends.”

Celia didn't quite understand that but it was fair if that was her own personal boundaries.

They continued talking away, the lunch bell ringing as Aoko invited her to hang out with her and her friends. Celia was originally unsure but after asking Haru, he simply said it was a great idea — although the glaring from Aoko may have affected the outcome of his decision — Celia couldn't help but smile, possibly having real friends. That was a rare thing in her world.

— — — — —

Haru and Ozu sat on the rooftop, opening their bento boxes and exchanging food like they always did.

“I'll have the salmon.”

“Only in exchange for your tuna, Haru.”

“You drive a hard bargain there, buddy…”

“What if I add some extra soy sauce?”

“Deal.”

With that exchange complete, they ate in silence, their minds focused in different directions.

“By the way—” “—yaw eht yB”

They both said in unison.

“You go first—” ”—tsrif og uoY“

“No you, go first—” ”—tsrif og ,uoy oN“

Haru, tired of the choir, used sign language to point Ozu going first to which Ozu mirrored him at the same time.

“Uhhhh—” “—hhhhU”

They both took the initiative.

“Going forward I'll be spending afterschool with Celia-chan.” “Going forward I'll be spending afterschool with Kasiba-san.”

They both gave a collective “huh!” before recalibrating, luckily Haru recalibrated faster.

“What!? What are you doing after school with Kasiba-sensei…?”

“Oh. She's helping me out with funeral arrangements.”

The mood dampened.

“I see…” Haru didn’t have much to respond with, Ozu didn't want him involved after all.

Cutting the tension, Ozu asked with a wary smile:

“What about you and Celia-chan?”

I can't tell him the truth… what? Am I supposed to tell him that she's an elven Knight that considers me her prince and we're hunting some serial killer puppet master that creates shadow monsters!

“I'm just getting her accustomed to Japan, y'know.” He decided to hide the full truth, after all, he would be doing that and was even excited about that.

“Ah, sounds cool, so we will postpone the lobby calls until further notice.”

“Sounds cool bro.” Haru responds, not sure what more to add.

Awkwardness filled the air.

“Haru?”

“Yeah, I'm right here.”

Ozu ignored him. “Do you remember when we were kids and you used to protect me from… what's his name?”

“Yuto-Muto.”

“Such a weird name.”

“Literally.”

“To be fair he was a big kid, and you were tiny.”

“Yeah but I knew martial arts.”

“Yeah…”

“.....”

“Just reminded me is all. Now we're finally on even footing, in the past you were always protecting me but now!”

“Now?”

“Now I can protect myself! I'm gonna get strong enough to one day even protect you, y'know!”

Ozu stood up, fist out to the sky.

“You’re so dramatic.” Haru laughed.

“Shut up, mate!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Haru heard him loud and clear but unfortunately for Ozu, those words did not inspire the emotional effect he wanted.

Haru only looked outward as Ozu rambled on. Lost in his own thoughts.

Cobalt. The crow. Celia. Magic. Prince. Akaji. His throat. Blood. The news. His parents. Akaji’s family. Az. Ozu.

All those thoughts clouded his own mind. He would protect the people closest to him, no matter the cost.

I won't let another person I love die! No matter what. I will protect you, Ozu. Me and Celia will take down this serial killer and protect you, just like I always have.

Even if you never know it…

Haru’s decision was resolute, he would defeat this puppet master, not for him but for his best friend who had no idea the potential threat he was under.

Haru promised this to himself. Even if it meant not seeing him for a while, it was a price he was willing to pay to see his best friend thrive.

A price he was willing to pay to keep the people closest to him alive.