Cooling Down

The air around the school felt colder than normal when Mamoru arrived. He hadn’t noticed the temperature dropping on the ride, but his breath was visible as he walked in the building. Yamiko vanished quickly as they walked in, she seemed not too willing to talk to Mamoru.

I don’t blame her, Hikari chimed in. Mamoru whispered, shut up and gloomily moved through his school day Kaito tried to get his attention around third period, but he shrugged him off and disappeared into a secluded back stairwell for lunch.

He shivered as he settled onto a chilly step and unwrapped a cold sandwich from the cafeteria.

Is this really what you do when you encounter some trouble?

“Shut up.”

I am afraid I can’t do that. You are acting too pathetic for me to stay quiet.

“You never stay quiet anyway, so what does it matter.”

The ghostly form of Hikari shot in front of his face, even knowing she was intangible, it made Mamoru jerk back ever so slightly. Crystal blue eyes glared at Mamoru’s own, and he looked away. “What would you know about it anyway? You’re some spoiled princess from before they had running water.”

She shook her head. The bell for class rang, but Mamoru didn’t bother to get up. No one would come his way on their way back to their classes.

I’ll have you know, I had to watch much worse and unlike you, I don’t have any family that I could go to, you still have a sister to save, do you not? Or do you intend to be so gloomy that she is forever lost. Imagine waking up one day years later, you are an old man, your sister is still lost, and you know it was your fault after being so pathetic. She could be dead, she could be-

Mamoru tried to swat at Hikari’s face, but it passed through as freely as it would in air.

Stooped so low that you would even try violence on people in your corner. She crossed her arms. I thought better of you.

“Shut up! I never said I was giving up, I, I just need a little bit to think!”

To mope you mean? But my point still stands, what if you spend so long to think that she ends up dead before you go to find her?

“I won’t wait that long!”

So, you say, but you aren’t showing me any better reason to think that is the case. Mamoru stood up and began to pace.

“I don’t know what to do, okay? I thought… I thought I had things under control, but then I had my damned side blown out, and now my home is gone! I just don’t know, okay. Can I even save her? I thought I’d get the information I needed at the warehouse to be ready to storm Strength Tower.”

He punched the wall hard enough that his hand regretted it. “I was thinking for a second there I was some heroic badass, who could save the day, but I couldn’t even keep my sister from leaving. I just don’t know anymore, what am I even doing?

Hikari sighed and floated over to him. Mamoru figured she was trying to put a hand on his shoulder, but he felt nothing.

You didn’t get any information, but you found some allies you think you can trust…. even if one is that weird blue singer…. And you didn’t win the fight in a complete victory, but you found out the limits of your strength. You should take the time to develop your bonds and your skills.

Mamoru slumped against a wall and rubbed his hands through his hair. He punched the floor and took a deep breath. She was right, he knew as much, but the feeling of frustration still swarmed in his chest like an angry nest of hornets. He couldn’t keep the emotions from swelling and stinging him, and that hurt his conviction. But the thought of Mae sitting in a cell for the rest of her young life while he waited to get himself in order disturbed him more than the emotions. He took a heavy breath, noting just how cold it had gotten, and stood up.

“You’re right.”

I know I’m right.

“I was acting like a fool. I’d say you could hit me back, but I know it won’t hurt.”

Just ask the witch to hit you twice, I’m sure she would after your attitude this morning.

“Duly noted.” Mamoru looked up at the small window which overlooked the secluded stairwell, and noticed it was completely frozen over. He shivered as the temperature’s low suddenly became salient. “Hikari, does it seem weird to you?” The red-haired boy pointed to the window.

Ice magic. She replied solemnly. You need to move, now!