Waves
The heat rose off the ground, melting all the snow. The sky was sunny as the sun grazed Nexus with its heat.
All the students sat in their seats, exhausted as they used their folders to air themselves off. They laid back in their seats as they wore their white dress shirts.
"I'm sorry students, I didn't expect us to have a heatwave in the middle of winter like that." Rina said as she gathered all their tech coats.
"I'll make some adjustments to them and give them back once they're better suited for more weather." She said as she looked at the hoodies. "Hey, where's Ayumi at?" Rina asked as she looked up at the students.
Ayumi happily skipped into the classroom with a smile on her face.
She sat as she looked around.
"Why is everyone staring at me?" Ayumi asked.
"You're wearing your tech coat…" Koji said with a face of confusion. "Yeah, what about it?" Ayumi asked as she looked puzzled.
Not a sign of sweat at all, not even a slight glisten on her head.
"You're not hot at all in this?" Daiki asked as he lifted his head up from his desk. "Nah, I'm as cool as an ice cube!" Ayumi said with a big smile, looking back at Daiki.
All the students groaned as she looked forward.
"Weirdo…" Izumi said as she wiped her forehead of sweat.
Ayumi and Daiki sat outside in the afternoon, a cool breeze passed by, temporarily giving them relief from the heat.
The two had fruit popsicles as Ayumi leaned back, watching the clouds pass by overhead.
"Ayumi, how are you not hot? I'm dying over here." Daiki said, his eyes grew heavy from exhaustion.
"Well, I think my horns cool my head off, and keep me warm during winter" she replied, continuing to keep the stick from the Popsicle in her mouth.
Ayumi swayed her head back and forth like a child, watching the sky.
Daiki looked at her with confusion.
"You made that up, didn't you?" He asked with slight aggression.
Ayumi giggled "nah, nah. It's totally real!" She replied.
"YOU LIAR!" Daiki yelled as he pointed at her. "Besides, that'd be wool! Not horns!" He replied "maybe it's my hair then?" Ayumi laughed, puffing her curly hair up a bit.
Daiki took the Popsicle out of his mouth as he placed it on his forehead and laid back looking up at the clouds with her.
Ayumi looked at him, laughing. "You're such a weirdo!" She smiled, continuing to giggle.
Daiki blushed "it's hot, don't blame me!" He said as he looked back up, flustered.
Tano and Sumi watched them laugh from a distance, they both smiled.
"He reminds me of Ryuu. You know before we got here." Sumi said to tano, he kneeled down, opening the ice box to get a Popsicle out.
"Yeah, why is that?" Tano asked as he smiled, standing back up.
"He did weird things sometimes. I remember one time he tried to impress his ex by shoving toothpicks between his eyelids to show he could go without blinking for a minute." Sumi replied smiling.
Tano opened the Popsicle package, splitting it and giving the other half to Sumi.
"How did that go?" Tano asked. Sumi took the other half of the Popsicle.
"Not very well I imagine." Tano assumed, Sumi giggled.
"A bit of dust flew into his eye and he forced his eyes shut. He ended up bleeding so much. He couldn't open his eyes for a whole day without it hurting so much." Sumi replied, the two of them began laughing.
Tano sat back down, he bit into the Popsicle with his front teeth. "How do you do that without hurting your teeth?" Sumi asked.
"Little genetic thing. Never hurts to eat cold stuff." Tano smiled.
"You're crazy" Sumi smiled back.
The two looked on, Ayumi and Daiki snuck up behind Koji and Izumi as they stuffed water balloons in their shirts.
"It's great that they're bonding." Tano said.
Pop, pop! The water balloons popped as Koji stood up and ran after the two.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT! I'LL KILL YOU!" Koji yelled as Izumi stared at the ground, angry with her eyes wide open.
"At least a bit." Sumi replied.
The four of them made commotion, inaudibly yelling at each other as Ayumi and Daiki laughed.
"You know, I'm glad you told me about Ryuu. I know it's hard when people label you as a terrorist." Tano said, Sumi glanced over to him, slightly tilting her head.
"It's been a while since people have opened up to me." Tano said.
"There's something else…" Sumi began saying as Rina walked up behind them.
She wore shorts and an open button shirt with a bikini underneath. Sunglasses and flip flops.
She kneeled down between Tano and Sumi.
"Am I interrupting you two?" Rina asked with a smug smile, "a bit, yeah." Sumi replied.
"Great!" She said as she stepped down, standing in front of them.
"I figured we'd have a spontaneous group getaway!" Rina said as she held her arms up high in excitement.
"Is that even okay to do?" Sumi asked, "yeah, wouldn't Mr Kuze be a bit upset if we're using a school day to have a break?" Tano asked.
"Come on, it's hot as hell. Besides, we could do a sort of tournament! Test our students' powers!" Rina said as she put her arm on her hip.
"I guess it's a good way to get everyone to bond." Tano said as the three of them looked over at the students.
"Uncle! Uncle!!" Daiki yelled as Tano kneeled onto Daikis back, pulling his arm.
"Eri was absent during our evaluation, and you didn't show off your powers." Rina said as she pointed at Tano.
"Powers?" Tano asked, confused like he was hiding something.
Rina tossed a folder at him, he hastily caught it. He looked shocked, somewhat embarrassed.
"Mr Kuze gave me your file, told me it'd help me get to know another teacher. You have a history of powers that you hide" Rina smiled.
Tano looked defeated as a water balloon flew overhead, Rina ducked as it hit Tano on his head, soaking his nearly kept hair.
Not long after, Rina and Sumi stood in Kuze's office.
"I think it'd be a wonderful idea for you to have a weekend trip!" Kuze responded as he smiled.
"Wait, You're serious?" Sumi asked with a worried look, "What about Ren and the missing persons?" Sumi asked as Kuze folded his hands, resting his elbows on his desk.
"We still have no idea where the body is, we have no idea where Ren and his partner are." Sumi added.
"Well" Rina said, raising her hand. "I did mention we could have a little competition. Test the students' powers and whatnot." Rina said as Kuze smirked.
"That would be a wonderful idea as well! I have a friend with a vacation home along the coast of Ichiboku." Kuze said, standing up to open his drawer.
"He has a yard big enough for training!" Kuze said, handing the key to Rina. "I'll let him know you're staying the weekend." Kuze said as Rina chuckled at Sumi with a big grin. Sumi looked defeated, worried about the students safety.
The students all laughed and spoke to each other as they all walked through the coastal town.
Distant sounds of waves crashing on the shore, the sounds of light traffic and trolleys going by as the sun shined down.
Sumi looked over Tano's file as they walked next to each other.
"Water, huh?" Sumi asked as Tano lifted his shades over his eyes to hide his embarrassment.
"Come on, water isn't that bad. It could be a useful power!" Sumi said as she tried to encourage him. "You think so? Usually only the cursed techniques are where the power works best." Tano replied.
"Luckily for you, Mr Kuze gave us clearance to use cursed techniques this time. So you can go all out" Rina explained, sticking her index finger up with a smile.
"Well, guess we'll see how rusty I am." Tano said as Sumi leaned against him with a smile.
Daiki walked beside Ayumi as she looked at the map of the town.
"This is a big town, I don't think I've ever been down to the beach before." Ayumi said as Daiki looked at her with a blank look.
"Is that why you're still wearing your hoodie?" He asked, Ayumi blushed a bit.
"W-well, I didn't think we'd get close enough to the water…" Ayumi said as she hid her face behind the map. Eri walked up from behind, putting her arms around Ayumi and Daiki.
"It's okay! I'll let you borrow some of my clothes since you didn't bring extra!" Eri said with a big smile, "Are you two the same size?" Daiki asked as Ayumi blushed harder.
"Yeah, I mean we're basically identical body wise!" Eri said as she put her hands on her hips.
Ayumi looked over at Daiki, Daiki stared at Eri with a blank expression
"Idiots… Imagine forgetting clothes when you were told you're staying the weekend at the beach" Izumi said as she and Koji walked ahead of the group.
Kolira and Claire walked up behind Eri as the five of them stared.
"You know for two people who supposedly hate each other, they spend a lot of time together…" Daiki said with a blank look as the two walked by.
THUD, Daiki set his bag down as Ayumi opened the windows
"Man, It's hot in here." Daiki said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"Okay, we're gonna split up the rooms. Everyone go ahead and relax for today, tomorrow we'll start with our little tournament!" Rina said as Daiki sat on the couch laying back.
"Mrs Amaia? Would it be okay if I go into town and get some stuff for dinner?" Ayumi asked, Daiki jumped out of his seat with excitement. "I wanna go too! I know a recipe for some killer ice pops!" Daiki said as he fidgeted with excitement.
"Sure" Rina said, pulling money out of her bag, "This should cover for a few days" Rina said, leaning over to Ayumi to whisper "And get some clothes, I know you didn't bring any" she said as she smiled, Ayumi felt comforted. "Thank you" Ayumi said, bowing as she and Daiki started to head out.
"You wanna come with, Koji?" Daiki asked, "Why would I?" Koji responded.
"Cause we're bros! Come on, it'll be fun!" Daiki said. Izumi and Eri followed behind, "We'll go with you!" Eri said as they all headed out, Koji looked irritated as he was dragged along.
Rina stood on the back patio overlooking the beach. "I can't believe Mr Kuze has connections like this!" Rina said as she opened her arms as a cool breeze swept over.
Sumi and Tano walked out onto the patio with more comfortable clothes.
"So, how's that head of yours doing?" Tano asked as Sumi sat down on the step.
"I haven't had any weird feelings or thoughts since I was in the hospital." Sumi replied, "It's weird… I know I wasn't fully treated." Sumi added.
"The doctors cleared you to go home, they didn't find anything abnormal." Rina said as she sat beside Sumi, one step above her.
Sumi stared out at the beach. The waves crashed against the shore as seagulls flew over the ocean.
"I don't know… It doesn't seem right…" Sumi said as she squinted, thinking about the scenario.
"Ren infected me with something, I don't think it's gone…" Sumi said, looking over to Rina.
Rina looked back as they went silent for a moment. More waves crashed against the beach, the seagulls kept squealing. Distant sounds of cicadas in the trees not too far from the house.
Sumi closed her eyes and laid back a bit, tilting her head up to face the sky.
"Maybe we should tell him." Sumi said to Rina, Tano looked confused.
Rina nodded, "Tano. I only told you half the story." Sumi said as she looked up at Tano.
"I'm a ghost." Sumi said with a hint of melancholy. Tano looked surprised as he squatted down beside her.
"Ryuu, with the help of Rina, brought me back from the Spiritual Dimension. But for some reason, I was caught between the Physical and Spiritual realm. That's why you can feel and see me completely." Sumi said as she grabbed Tano's hand, caressing it slightly. Tano blushed lightly.
Sumi moved her left sleeve down to show Tano her mark.
"I can't get drunk, I can't have kids, I can't age." Sumi said as Rina looked out at the sea, her hair moved softly with the breeze.
Sumi stayed quiet as Tano looked at her softly.
"You're still human. You got a second chance and we'll find a way to make you whole again." Tano said with a comforting smile.
Sumi blushed lightly.
"T-The problem is… I can usually alternate between Physical and Spiritual forms." Sumi replied.
"What about it?" Tano asked.
"Ever since Ren infected me, I've been losing my ghost powers. I can't phase through objects, I can't turn into weapons anymore." Sumi replied, Tano looked confused. "Weapons?" He asked.
"That's not all" Rina said, "She lost some of these abilities after Ryuu passed. I had been keeping an eye on her after he passed and noticed." Rina said, moving her hair behind her ears.
"I'm beginning to wonder if Ryuu being gone has something to do with her Ghost powers going away." Rina said as Tano looked somewhat horrified.
"We have to be careful now that Ren infected Sumi. There's no telling what this is from right now." Rina said as she stood up. "This weekend is a test for all of us. We have to see if Sumi can still use her powers." Rina said as she walked inside the house.
Sumi continued to look out at the ocean as Tano looked over at her.
"What if they find out… They'll label me as a terrorist, just like Ryuu…" Sumi said.
"I won't let that happen." Tano said as he put his hand on her shoulder, Sumi looked over and smiled as the two continued to watch the ocean.
Daiki stood with his hands behind his head as Ayumi looked through the baskets of produce at the street market. People spoke inaudibly as Ayumi overlooked the peppers at the stand.
"What do you suppose the tournament will be?" Daiki asked, "I'm not sure, I assume it'd be to test our strengths again." Ayumi replied as Daiki tilted his head, looking at Ayumi with a bored look.
"Obviously a fighting tournament." Izumi said as she and Koji walked up to the other two, holding an apple. "I overheard the teachers talking." Izumi said as Koji bit into his apple. "Rina said that she got clearance from Mr Kuze to let us go all out with our techniques" Izumi said as Eri walked over to the others.
"What if some of us have really powerful techniques?" Eri asked, Ayumi looked at her with a puzzled look.
"Then we better hope someone here is able to heal others." Koji said with a gruff look.
Ayumi and Daiki looked at each other with worried looks.
The night sky fell as all the students sat around the house quietly.
Ayumi cut vegetables and continued to cook dinner in the kitchen.
Sumi and Tano sat on the beach. The dark beach lit up from bioluminescence.
Tano covered Sumi with his hoodie as she hugged her knees.
"Thank you." She said with a smile as she dug her face into her arms, watching the waves crash down.
Tano sat next to her as he watched the waves beside her.
"The glow is beautiful." Tano said, Noting the bioluminescence.
"I used to glow like that when I used my Ghost abilities." Sumi said, as Tano smiled at her.
Tano looked at her as he put his hand on her shoulder, "Hey, it'll be okay. Me and Rina will make sure the students aren't hurt tomorrow." Tano said to Sumi, comforting her.
"What if they find out about me?" Sumi asked, "Then we cross that bridge when we get to it." Tano said as Sumi leaned against him.
Behind them, they heard the students chatting as Ayumi brought out a pot of stew, Daiki carrying rice behind her.
"Alright, time for dinner!" Ayumi said as she smiled.
Rina set up a small fire pit with seats around it, the students sat and ate as everyone laughed and chatted.
Ayumi made a stew with mixed vegetables and peppers, ranging from white, yellow, orange, red, and green. Different meats and spices.
"Ayumi, this is amazing! What is this?" Kolira asked as her eyes lit up.
"O-oh, it's an old dish I found in my mom's cookbook" Ayumi said, slightly embarrassed.
"It tastes like a dish from the Yari tribe" Izumi said, glancing up at Ayumi with a scornful look.
"Ha! Wow, it must be a coincidence." Ayumi said, scratching the back of her head.
"Whatever it is, It's amazing!" Daiki said as he quickly ate his food.
"Slow down, Daiki!" Tano said as he worried about him.
Daiki ate so fast that his food went down wrong, he started choking, trying to catch a breath.
"Water, please!" Daiki said, gasping for air.
"You idiot." Izumi said with a look of annoyance, Eri laughed as Ayumi held a cup of water in front of him with two hands. He grabbed it and quickly drank it. "Daiki, not so fast!!" Ayumi said as he started choking on the water. He let out a large gasp as his face turned blue.
Eri fell to the ground laughing as Kolira and Claire stood over him worried, Ayumi patted his back.
Sumi looked at the students with a light smile, "Is this what being alive is?" Sumi thought to herself as she looked at all the students. Koji Smacked Daiki's back super hard as he took a deep breath in.
Ayumi giggled as the others laughed. Koji sat back down with an irritated look as Sumi's eyes widened. "Maybe they won't leave me." She thought, "Maybe I finally found my place in life. Maybe I finally have my constants." Sumi thought more, she smiled as Tano looked over at her.
Later that night, Sumi sat at the dining room table as her and Rina played Reversi.
"So, you seem to be in a better mood tonight." Rina said, placing her piece down on the board.
"Yeah, kinda realized that maybe I'm content now." Sumi replied, thinking of where to place her piece.
"Oh?" Rina asked, "If I lost my Ghost powers, then maybe I could finally be happy?" Sumi asked as she placed her piece, overtaking Rina's.
"Why can't you be now?" Rina asked, Sumi looked slightly offended. "I could… But…" Sumi said, Rina placed her piece down.
"There's still a piece missing, Isn't there?" Rina asked as she looked at Sumi, smirking like she knew something she didn't want to admit.
Sumi groaned, looking somewhat irritated, "I don't know what you mean." She replied, placing her piece down. "You can't have kids and settle down. And the only person who'd help you feel like a parental figure is missing from your life." Rina said, placing her piece down, taking Sumi's pieces over.
Sumi slammed her hand down on the table as she got angry, "I don't care about Katsumi anymore!" Sumi shouted, Kolira looked away from her book, looking up at Sumi.
The room fell silent as Sumi sat back down.
Sumi dropped her head down to hide her face, her hands in a grip, on top of her legs.
"Katsumi could have at least visited…" Sumi said. Rina sat back, folding her arms.
"And taking care of these students is the closest you'll get to being a parent figure." Rina said.
Sumi sniffled, her glazed, on the verge of crying.
"She was my sister, and she hasn't even shown she cared. She knew what I went through, and she left. Just like all the others!" Sumi said as she looked up, she had a look of anger with a hint of sadness.
"You know she's still your sister. She knows how much you matter, but she has a kid now. She's a single mother, you know it's not that easy." Rina said. Ayumi leaned against Daiki on the couch as they both slept.
"She has to raise Yuika all by herself. It's not easy, I'm positive she's tried reaching out. But people become busy, it doesn't mean they don't care about you anymore." Rina added, Izumi, Koji and Tano sat on the beach, watching the waves.
"You have a family too, now. You have to understand how she feels, right?" Rina asked with a comforting look.
Sumi dropped her shoulders as she closed her eyes. "I know that… She's the person I knew the longest. I miss her… Especially now that Ryuu is gone…" Sumi said with a look of pain.
Rina sat up, moving her chair in.
"I understand. And when she's ready, she'll see you again. Thing's take time." Rina said as she walked past Sumi.
"Get some sleep, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Rina smiled as she walked upstairs.
Sumi swung her cup around lightly, watching the small remaining amount of water swirl in the cup.
Later on, Sumi tossed and turned in her bed as she tried to sleep.
She kept having nightmares, almost lifelike and real feeling.
"You what?" A voice said in anger with a tone of sadness. "It's your fault! You're the reason he's dead!" Another voice yelled in pain.
Sumi continued to toss and turn.
"He would be alive if it wasn't for you!" A voice yelled.
Sumi opened her eyes, waking up in a dark void.
She looked horrified. "Welcome back. Did you miss home?" The shadowy figure asked as it reached up from behind Sumi.
"I thought I got rid of you…" Sumi asked. "We've only just started." The voice said, strangling Sumi's neck.
Sumi sat up in a cold sweat as she woke up. She felt her neck to make sure she was back in reality. Sumi breathed heavily as she spaced out.
"Oh god…" She said as she realized her infection wasn't gone.