Chapter 1: The Mysterious Crystal

Yes, I became an undercover agent against my will. That pest, Hashimaru! He blackmailed us on the top of it. He will cut off my scholarship grant if I decline his offer but I didn’t know this feeling before. I was always mad but never up to this point. Even though I was always alone, part of me was a little bit happy. Don’t ask me why. I didn’t even know myself.

“Partners?”

We were all shocked when he said that...

“Yeah, you’re all going to be paired. A girl and a boy.”

I have a bad feeling about this.

“And how do we pick our partners?”

I reluctantly asked.

“Draw lots!”

Damn! Why did I even bother asking? He’s as stupid as he is!

“Hashimaru, get real. Will you?”

We, girls, were all burning of rage.

“Do we really need to be paired? It’s a pain to look out for kids!”

The bastard said.

“What did you say, Jairo? Looking for a fight?”

Kensheila said.

“Tsk, we won’t get anywhere like this! We’ll have to do it draw lots. In that way, it will be fair.”

Hashimaru insisted. Now he’s starting to look like a true boss.

“Ah?”

I picked that bastard! What the heck!

“Nitsuji? Who’s Nitsuji from the both of you?”

Shaila asked the twins.

“Him!”

The other twin pointed his polite brother.

“I’m Shaila Inoria. Shy for short.”

“Nitsuji Irisviel.”

They’re already handshaking!

“Nee-chee? What a stupid name!”

Kensheila picked the playboy.

“So, you picked me? Well then, shall we go for a drink?”

Shinsui said to Ace.

“Go by yourself, retard!”

Zenace picked the one who loves everything.

“Jen, you picked Jairo?”

Nee-chee asked.

“Eh?”

Everyone looked at us.

I kept throwing gazes like daggers to him and he on me too.

It was very awkward.

“Hashimaru, have a second thought! They’ll kill each other!”

While everyone’s like that, Hashimaru didn’t budge. He still insisted that way!

“You girls are always with the handsome boys of our section. How lucky of you!”

Ashly, one of our classmates, said.

“Could you please stop emphasizing the handsome?”

Kensheila said.

“They’re just normal right, Ace?”

“Yeah, they’re all retard-looking normal guys.”

Zenace said sarcastically.

“Jenivive!”

Somebody was calling me.

“You should help the club with the paperworks.”

Skipper, the Vice President of the Science club, insisted.

“Okay.”

I replied.

“Jen, you’re a member of Science club?”

Shaila asked.

“Yeah, sort of.”

I said.

“That’s great, Jen! You really are awesome!”

She said happily.

What’s with her sense of amusement? Everything around her seemed easy to read.

After that, I was on my way to the club office to retrieve the documents that I need to finish.

“Hmm, it really is hard to be popular huh?”

I saw that bastard but this time around with girls. Not like I care so I averted my eyes away from that scene. The moment I looked away, I caught him looking at me. What’s with his problem? You wanna brag, bastard?

“Oh, Jen! You’re back!”

Shaila called.

“We’re going to have our P.E.”

Zenace explained.

Damn. I forgot about that. I don’t have my P.E. uniform with me. I’m totally dead.

“What? You didn’t bring your P.E. uniform? Well, I can lend you mine.”

Kensheila offered.

“I don’t need i—!”

I was cut off by Shaila.

“Now, you can attend the class, Jen! That’s good. Good job, Ken!”

Shaila said.

I was supposed to deny the offer of Kensheila but Shaila insisted that I should go with them.

After fitting the shirt, I felt really embarrassed.

“Oh! My t-shirt does fit in you!”

Kensheila said.

“Thank you for lending me your uniform. I’ll wash it and return it tomorrow.”

I said. Oh my gosh, embarrassment!

“Okay, class!”

Our teacher, Mr. Potato, arrived.

“We’re going to play volleyball today.”

Yeah, he said it and I’m totally out of whack when it comes to sports. I’m not athletic type of girl.

We played the game but I was totally not into it. I kept getting smashed by the ball, kept sliding down, and kept not hitting the ball. In other words, I sucked at it.

My body was full of bruises. Every time we have our P.E, I was always beaten up.

After that, we returned to our classroom.

“You’re really hopeless, Jenivive!”

Phoebe and Daphne, the classroom’s hottest girls, kept looking down on me.

Okay, Jenivive. Ignore. Ignore the stupids.

“Hey, don’t laugh at her!”

Kensheila yelled at them.

“She just doesn’t excel at sports. She’s great in academics.”

Zenace added.

“Would you two stop covering for her?”

“Everyone knows that she’s always like that.”

Daphne said.

They’re getting into trouble because of me; that’s why I kept avoiding them, they’re so persistent.

I stood and distanced myself.

“Where are you going, Jen?”

Shaila asked.

“Keep your distance away from me.”

I said. Everyone in the classroom heard it.

“See? Have she ever mentioned or called your names?”

“I bet no.”

“She’s just an orphan but she acts like she’s superior.”

Frontstab? Like I care.

When I sneaked a glance at Shaila, Zenace, and Kensheila, they’re so sad. Is it because of me?

Hashimaru called us.

“Is there any mission for us?”

Shinsui asked him.

“Yes, I received a call from the agency. You have your first mission, protecting an artifact. It’s a kind of stone that connects the spiritual and the physical world. Some criminals have set their eyes on it, be careful.”

He said.

“Hey, did you fight?”

The playboy asked the four of us. Can’t he read the air?

“No.”

I replied.

“Well, it doesn’t look like that to me.”

He replied.

“And you seemed like you’re in a bad mood, Jen.”

He added.

“Don’t call me that!”

I was pissed off thinking of what I did. It’s not like I’m guilty or something.

Fine! I felt guilty!

“She’s scary.”

The loud twin said to his polite twin brother.

“Don’t go against a girl in a bad mood. 70% of it will only make it worse. Learn from your mistake, Nee-chee.”

The twin brother explained.

“You’re so mean, bro!”

The loud twin said. What the—! He’s acting like a spoiled kid!

When we arrived to our destination, we were shocked. You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s a rocky mountain. Am I going to climb that? Hell no!

“Let’s go!”

The polite twin brother said.

“Now that you mention it, Nitsuji’s our team leader. We’ve got to follow his orders no matter what.”

The one who loves everything said.

“We’re going to search for the stone. We’ll divide the team into four groups, by partners. If you find it, contact the others using the communication gears.”

The polite twin brother said.

That’s why, I’m stuck with the bastard!

“Faster! You walk like a turtle!”

He kept yelling at me like I was a baggage for him!

“Leave me alone, will you!”

I kept arguing with him. We’re shouting at each other.

“Hey, are you two fighting?”

Everyone was talking and listening to us through the communication gears that we had.

“No!”

We both replied angrily.

“Leave it. That’s how enemies turn into lovers!”

The one who loves everything said.

“I’ll kill you after this, scoundrel!”

I told him.

“Oh! You’re too scary, Jen!”

He replied.

“Stop! Focus on the mission, Jen!”

The leader, the polite twin brother, even got mad.

“I told you to not call me that!”

I said angrily.

“Hurry up, luggage!”

The bastard said.

That’s it. I’ll fillet you, bastard!

“We found it, everyone!”

The playboy and Kensheila’s team found it.

“Ok, send us the route that you took using the tracker bracelet. Everyone, let’s meet up there!”

The leader instructed.

I was on my way with the bastard.

“Wow, this bracelet is so hi-tech!”

You can’t see one like this every day.

“How long will you get over here, idiot!”

The bastard kept arguing with me.

“That’s why having a partner is unnecessary! It’s a pain!”

“What did you say?!”

It was then that the mountain felt like it’s moving. The stones were starting to corrode.

“Hey! What’s happening?”

We were all shocked.

“The mountain’s moving?”

“The stone is a fake! When Nee-chee touched it, the mountain started to shake and the stone turned into dust!”

Kensheila said.

“Everyone, take cover! Go to a safe place!”

The leader instructed.

“Come here already, idiot!”

The bastard kept yelling at me.

I was on my way but all of a sudden, when I took a step, the ground split up and I fell. The bastard was fast to grab my wrist.

“You’re heavy!”

“Bastard!”

It was no use since the mountain was shaking too much.

“Don’t you dare let go!”

He said but if I didn’t do something, he will fall with me too. That’s why, I voluntarily let go of his hand.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

He asked.

“Sorry.”

I said.

Yeah, I fell down.

Here it comes, my bad habit again. I kept getting into trouble because of worrying for other people. How I wish I could change this part of me.

By the time I reached the ground, I was totally mesmerized. Though the place where I fell down was unbelievably high, I still managed to be alive. I fell down in a bed of flowers. Everything around me felt like a magic. Something like fireflies sparked like pixie dusts. It was totally a sight to behold.

I kept wondering where I was. I even thought that was heaven but I came into my senses when I saw a very large crystal stone in front of me. It’s like a rainbow crystal. I believe that was the artifact that we need to protect.

First, I started to contact the others to inform them that I already found the stone.

“Everyone, this is Jenivive. Can you hear me?”

Unluckily, my gear was malfunctioning because of the fall.

I obviously didn’t know what to do. It’s my first time being in that kind of a situation.

I started roaming around the place and I came close to the crystal to take a look. It was such a beautiful artifact, so breathtakingly beautiful, but a part of me wanted to cry.

“It’s so beautiful, yet so sad. I wonder why it feels that way.”

Tears had filled up my eyes.

“Jen, can you hear me? This is Nitsuji.”

Suddenly, the leader’s contacting me through the telepin. A telepathic hairpin is one of the gadgets given to us by Hashimaru. It is a cute hairpin that can detect telepathy.

“Are you okay, Jen?”

“Leader, I found the artifact. Are all of you okay? Why are using the telepin?”

“Listen, Jen...”

Out of the blue, I heard an unknown voice.

“I found these kids lurking around here.”

“Kill them!”

I felt worried so I ask the leader.

“What’s happening there? Did you get captured? Are you alright?”

Yes, I was obviously panicking that time.

“We’re in danger right now. We got captured by some criminals who’re after the crystal.”

“What? Are the girls okay? Wait, I’ll save you right now!”

I couldn’t really think of anything but wanting to save them that time. I just felt I don’t want to lose them. I don’t want to lose anyone ever again. Ever again? I wondered why I felt that way. Did I lose someone before? I couldn’t remember.

“Where’s Jairo, Jen?”

“We got separated.”

“Nee-chee, Shinsui, Shy, Ken, Ace and I got captured. We don’t know if Jairo’s okay right now so please find him first. I know you and him are enemies but you’re both part of the same team so please, Jen.”

He asked me.

“Please help him, Jen.”

He kept begging me and that’s why I got irritated.

“Stop begging me. You’re the leader. Just command me and I’ll obey, Nitsuji.”

It’s the first time that I called someone by name. I developed respect for him. Even though he’s already tied up and in danger, he’s still worrying for his comrades. That alone made me respect him.

Even though I didn’t know what his reaction is, I knew that he felt relieved that time.

“I’m counting on you, Jen.”

I usually put my hair in bun. I decided to not put my hair down not too long ago because for me it’s my way of letting myself be dedicated in my studies. This time, I put my long hair down. I also put the FB (Full Blast) Hand Protector, one of the gadgets of Hashimaru, it’s a kind of a hand glove that gives hands support and it can cause a huge impact when engaging a battle especially in punching something or someone.

“Nitsuji, promise me that you’ll never let them die.”

“Oh, Jen! You’re back!”

“As expected of a scholar. Nice one, Jen!”

“I saw from the bulletin board. You improved your grades well, Jen.”

I could still remember their faces and their voices calling my name.

“Can I entrust that task to you?”

I asked him to protect them.

“Just who do you think you’re talking to. I’m a pro agent.”

I could at least leave that to him.

I asked for Hashimaru’s assistance. I was communicating with him using the earrings that he had given me.

“Hashimaru, can you locate the bastard’s whereabouts right now? Please send me the route to take. Take me to him.”

“Roger!”

Seconds later, he asked.

“Who’s the bastard?”

Obviously, he didn’t know my code names.

When I finally got his location, I, as fast as I could, hurried to him. Hashimaru told me something that totally shocked me.

“Jairo is not moving from his location. Something might have happened to him. Find him, Jen.”

I reached the place and had found him unconscious. There’s blood on his forehead. Did he fall too? What happened? I thought he’s already safe so why did this happen?

“Are you okay? You’re not dead, are you?”

I checked his heartbeat and found his heart still beating. Tsk, still breathing huh? Well, let’s leave the joke aside. I was partly responsible so I applied first aid to him. Sooner or later, he regained consciousness.

“Are you alright?”

When he opened his eyes, he asked...

“Who are you?”

Yeah, he’s alive and kicking. Can I kill him?

“He’s okay.”

“Let’s go! The others are in danger.”

He stood. And guess what, guys? He’s being too silent. Wasn’t that too odd?

“What? Why aren’t you talking?”

I turned and looked at him.

“Jen, why did you let go of my hand earlier? You knew you could have died.”

Now’s not the time for that!

“It’s okay. Nothing happened to me, so...”

He’s sulking. What’s this bastard’s problem?

“How about you? What happened to you? I found you lying over there.”

“I slipped and fell.”

No hesitation in answering. What a bastard!

“Really? Are you okay? Can you walk?”

“I’m standing right now so I guess I can.”

I’m gonna punch this bastard sooner or later.

We hurried to Nitsuji and others’ location, and we got there on time.

“There are 30 enemies. We’re totally outnumbered!”

“First, we need to untie them. I’ll distract them so you help the others.”

“Just how desperate are you to save them? Are we important to you now?”

The bastard asked.

“What!”

Then he ran off!

I started distracting the enemies who’re after the crystal and they did take the bait. They’re all focusing in capturing the Mirclone bubbles, Mirage clone bubbles, one of Hashimaru’s gadget, it’s useful because it can create illusions of you, the one creating the bubbles, and can easily deceived others, so the bastard easily took the chains off.

“So you’re okay, Jairo!”

The playboy said.

“I’ve been so worried!”

The one who loves everything said.

“You’re not a mother, Shinn.”

The bastard replied.

“What the heck! I’m really worried about you, and that’s how you’re going to repay me?! You, total ice-to-the-core guy!”

They’ve started arguing.

I started sighing out of relief. What a bunch of happy-go-lucky idiots!

“I asked Jen to save you so where is she?”

“I’m here.”

Everyone’s totally dumbstruck. I wonder why they’re not moving at all as if they’re mentally and physically struck.

“Are you really Jen?”

Asked the loud twin. I was actually pissed off when he said that.

“Are you blind or what? Did you slipped and got your head hit a rock or something, you scoundrels?”

“Yes, it’s really her! The total ice-to-the-core girl!”

The loud twin and the one who loves everything exclaimed.

“You’re really different when you let your hair down. You look entirely a different person. Should I ask you for a date?”

The one who loves everything asked and I kicked him for that.

“Are you okay, Jen?”

“I heard that you fell from a high altitude when the mountain started moving.”

“Sorry about that, Nee-chee’s the one at fault.”

Shaila, Zenace, and Kensheila consecutively talked to me.

“And because of that, Jairo went to look for you. He’s blaming himself.”

“Yeah, he was like ‘I’m partly responsible for her. If anything happens to her, I won’t be able to sleep.’”

“He’s really cute sometimes!”

“Hey, stop talking like that!”

Huh?

“So that’s why you slipped and fell? You went looking for me?”

I asked Jairo.

“He’s a great guy when you got to know him, Jen!”

The loud twin said.

“I’m not asking you.”

The loud twin knelt out of depression when I said that.

“By the way, I found the artifact. It was incredibly huge.”

“Good job, Jen!”

Nitsuji said.

“Nitsuji, thanks for keeping your promise.”

“You rarely rely on others. That’s why, there’s no way I could break it.”

He’s just leading the team, yet taking wholly responsible for the lives of each one of us. He totally deserved being respected and being followed. Now I see why Hashimaru assigned him the team leader.

“Oh? You’re calling him by his name already?”

Asked the loud twin.

“You always call him ‘leader or polite brother’ before, so why?”

Asked the one who loves everything.

“You kids have guts to trick us!”

The enemies returned. The Mirclone Bubbles could only deceive the target for 5 minutes. Research has concluded that it’s almost useless. That useless Hashimaru!

“Achoo! Is someone dissing me?”

Hashimaru, at the base, asked.

“Girls, leave this to us! Go to where the artifact is and protect it!”

Nitsuji ordered.

“Leave this to us! Now go!”

The one who loves everything said.

“Okay.”

The four of us have gone to where the artifact is. When we got there, there are already nine people inside trying to take it.

“Don’t touch it!”

I yelled at them.

“What? Four kids?”

“Stay away from the artifact!”

Zenace yelled too.

We engaged in a battle. I could only fight with the punches improved by FB Hand Protector and kicks with Impaboots, Impact Boots, one of Hashimaru’s gadgets, the appearance’s like a simple pair of boots, but it’s kicks will be heavy. You can also jump higher and run faster using it.

P.S. One day, I’ll sell this!

We could manage somehow but because we’re still inexperienced agents, we couldn’t fight that much so eventually, we got captured by them.

One of the criminals, known as Lazarus, was a top criminal listed in the world. I remembered seeing his face in TV when I was a kid. I also saw faces of various murderers and killers there. I felt scared.

“You’re agents? Agents these days are smaller than before!”

He laughed.

“What do you want with the artifact?”

Zenace asked them.

“You have nerves to ask me, little girl!”

Lazarus replied.

“Fine, I’ll tell you! This artifact possesses a very strong power! We want that!”

“The artifact connects the physical and the spiritual world. It will bring destruction to the world if it gets taken!”

Shaila explained.

“You know a lot for a bunch of kids huh? We don’t care! Be it destruction to the world, I don’t care!”

That’s a criminal for you!

“We won’t let you take it!”

Kensheila said.

Lazarus slapped Kensheila in the face.

“You annoying turds! Kill them! We don’t need them!”

“No! Don’t touch them!”

I said.

I’m scared. I’m scared. I’m scared. I’m scared, brother.

Huh?

Suddenly, I felt dumbstruck.

Brother? Did I have a brother before? I couldn’t remember. I just blurted those words in my mind. I have no idea at all. Even though that’s our situation, I felt that I’m already close to something I had lost long time ago.

I came to my senses but when I looked at the girls, Shaila, Zenace, and Kensheila were already bathing in blood.

The moment I spaced out, I already lost the three of them.

“Shaila!”

“Zenace!”

“Kensheila!”

I moved close to them. I kept shaking them but they’re not moving at all. What will I do?

“Jen.”

Zenace called out to me. I held her hand.

“R... run a... way.”

Tears rolled in my eyes.

“No, don’t say that. I’ll bring you to the hospital. It will be alright. You’ll live.”

I kept weeping.

Zenace’s hand fell on its own. She’s not already breathing.

“I’m supposed to protect the three of you. Is it because of me? Does my existence bring you your fall?”

Then I remembered something.

“Fine, I’ll tell you! This artifact possesses a very strong power! We want that!”

Strong power?

That strong power, could it save them?

Some men are holding my hair. They’re already trying to kill me.

“How will I kill you? Should I gouge out your eyes?”

“Let me kill her! She punched me earlier!”

I couldn’t think of anything but wanting to go to that artifact. I need to go there.

A second later, I heard a gunshot.

I felt numbed.

After that, I felt pain in my left shoulder. My shoulder was shot. Blood was flowing from the wound.

I know my life’s not much but if it could save them... If my life could save them, please.

“I...”

“There are enemies here too!”

The guys arrived too late.

“Jen, are you still conscious?”

“Shy! Shy! Stay with me!”

Nitsuji and others exclaimed.

I looked at the floor and found Lazarus and everyone lying there. Pro agents were so strong. I couldn’t even do anything. Compared to them, I couldn’t do much.

That moment, I tried to stand.

“Don’t move, Jen!”

Jairo’s voice felt so worried.

“Ace’s not breathing!”

“What happened here? Ken’s not moving anymore. Her pulse not beating anymore.”

Nitsuji, the loud twin and the one who loves everything were all crying.

“I...”

I stood and walked close to the artifact.

I was barely standing. I felt like I was about to faint.

“Jen, what are you doing?”

When I was close enough to the artifact, I knelt. I gently touched the artifact. The color of the artifact was like a rainbow.

“I heard you have strong powers. I’m sorry for making you dirty.”

When I touched the artifact, my hands were covered with my blood.

“Ken! Ken! Please!”

“Come back, Ace!”

“Sorry, Shy.”

My tears filled my eyes.

“I know my life’s not that great. I am selfish, and unkind.”

I kept talking to it.

“I didn’t have anything to be proud of but if my life could save them, please I offer you this life of mine. Please let them live. Please let them be happy. Please let them experience the happiness in the world one more time.”

I was crying.

“I beg you. I won’t ask for much in exchange for my life.”

I leaned my forehead in the crystal and closed my eyes.

“What are you doing, Jen?”

Suddenly the crystal started to shine.

“What’s happening, Nitsuji?”

Asked the loud twin.

“I don’t know!”

Nitsuji replied.

Please let me protect all of them.

All the colors inside the crystal started circling around inside. In a moment, a blazing color red from the artifact flew towards the body of Zenace. Zenace was covered in fire. Something bluer than blue from the artifact covered Shaila. Not later than that, she was confined in a circle of water while an amethyst colored mist from the artifact enclosed Kensheila’s body as if it’s a miasma.

“What’s happening? What’s going on?”

After that, they started opening their eyes.

“What the! They’re alive!”

“Ouch, you’re hurting me Nee-chee! Let go!”

Kensheila said.

“Thank you.”

I thanked the artifact. After it stopped shining, that’s when I fell unconscious.

But before I passed out, I heard someone’s voice saying “You did well.”

I don’t know whose voice is that but it feels like it’s so nostalgic to me.