Ail

One month. That's about how long I've been attending Neturus High. And how long I've been fighting the monsters. And most importantly... how long I've known Tear.

A few weeks ago, there was an incident where a monster made of paint took over an art student and started to attack Tear and I. This monster seemed different than the others though; it had a different cry and it was smaller than the others. Apparently it was because it was a special monster, called "Monster Paint" (wow, isn't that original).

It had wreaked havoc when Ms. Pensil was younger, at the time she had attended Neturus High herself. But thankfully, it was sealed somehow, as to not cause any more trouble. Not thankfully though, whatever power that is creating the other monsters unsealed this one. It seemed the longer we spent fighting the monsters, rather than things becoming clearer, more and more mysteries about them kept popping up. Even Ms. Pensil had no idea how the monster got unsealed...

Monster Paint ended up being too strong for us to defeat, so we had no choice but to seal it again. Thanks to Tear's efforts, she was able to contain the beast in her paintbrush. She passed out as a result, but she's doing fine now. However, she had to train again, so she can learn how to use the paintbrush with the monster sealed inside it. Tear told me she's glad about this though, because it's making her stronger and she's happy to be more help to us now.

It's strange to be happy about something like that, especially in a weird school like this. But it's thanks to this weird school that I met Tear, who has become my irreplaceable friend. It seems like we're getting closer everyday, which I started to notice after the Monster Paint incident. Which is ironic, because on that very same day, I found something out that almost made me lose her as a friend forever...

--

A few weeks ago...

"Are you okay, Tear?" I asked her worriedly, grabbing her before she fell.

"I-I'm fine... I d-did it..." Tear responded, before passing out.

"Tear!" I shouted, trying to wake her back up.

"Don't worry, Ail." Ms. Pensil said reassuringly, trying to calm me down. "What he just did took a lot of him; he just needs to rest up a bit."

"Alright..."

"Barry, can I ask you a favor?" The teacher asked him, gesturing toward the unconscious art student on the floor. "Would you mind taking her to the nurse's office?"

"Of course! The Master Chef will gladly aid this lady in her time of need!" He exclaimed, then lifted up the girl and ran out the door.

Good for you, chef boy...

"And you wouldn't mind taking Tear back to his room, would you?"

"Sure thing." It's not like this is the first time, anyway...

I lifted up Tear to carry back to her bed (for the second time).

"Before I do though, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Ail?"

"Can you tell me what Tear's assignment for today is supposed to be?"

"Oh, you're so naughty!" Ms. Pensil said, slightly upset at me. "You shouldn't take advantage of him being unconscious to ask a question like that..."

"I know, but... Why is he trying so hard to hide it from me? I just don't understand..."

"... Alright, I'll tell you." She gave in. "I don't want you to think he hates you or anything."

"So, what is it?"

"I asked everyone to draw a person they treasure in their life." She told me with a smile.

I blushed slightly. "A-are you serious?" That dummy, she could've just told me... I'm a little embarrassed, but I'm also kind of flattered...

Ms. Pensil giggled at my reaction. "You two have become rather close, haven't you?"

"Yeah. I think I can consider him my best friend."

"That's wonderful! He is rather quiet, but he's a very good boy."

"Yeah, I know."

"It really pains me to have to send him into battle, you know. He's trying his best, but I know it isn't something he enjoys." She sighed. "Of course, I feel bad sending you and Barry as well, but I suppose it can't be helped. You three were the ones chosen, after all..."

"Actually, there's something I've been wondering for a while now." I decided to ask. "Have you ever fought like we have before?"

"Hm? What makes you think that?"

"Well, you all are the ones that taught us how to use our weapons, and the incident with Monster Paint..."

"No, I didn't have any special abilities to use when I last encountered Monster Paint, unfortunately." She explained. "And we have been instructing you through Spirit Guardian Tansa. All of our knowledge concering your weapons comes from him."

"Y-you actually got to talk to a Spirit Guardian?!" I know they mentioned him before, but...

"Indeed. Mr. Musico, Mr. Kooc, and I were all very surprised by it as well."

"What about Ms. Reachet?"

"Oh, she wasn't supposed to be involved in all this, actually. But she had studied the monsters from long ago and had prepared an area for us to train you all. We didn't really know how to handle the situation without her help, so we're really grateful for her assistance."

"Wow, I never took her for such a reliable person..."

"Well she is, so make sure to treat her with more respect from now on, alright?"

"Fine, fine..."

"And would please take good care of Tear for me?"

"I will, don't worry."

"That's good to hear. He reminds me of a student I used to have, so I worry about him sometimes."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. Although she was a girl, and she was one of my students from the middle school I used to teach at..."

Come to think of it, Tear used to live here when she was younger, right? I wonder...

"Did this student resemble Tear, by any chance?" I asked.

"Hm... Now that you mention it, they do look a bit alike. Heheh, maybe they're siblings or cousins?"

"Ha ha. It would be pretty funny if they had the same name, too!"

"No, their names are completely different. If they weren't, I'd think they were the same person!"

"Yeah, that's true..." I guess if the girl's name isn't Tear, then they aren't the same person after all...

... wait, am I an idiot?! Of course her name would be different! Surely she wouldn't use her real name if she's disguising herself, right?

"Just out of curiosity, what was her name?"

"Oh, you want to know her name? Certainly." Ms. Pensil began to say. "It was... Raena."

"Raena, huh? What a nice na-... wait, WHAAAT?!?!"

B-but that means...!

I looked at the sleeping Tear in my arms.

N-no! That's impossible!

"A-Ail? What's the matter?" The teacher asked me worriedly. "You seem pale all of a sudden..."

"When you say 'Raena', do you mean... that Raena?!"

"I'm sorry, but what do you mean?" She looked at me in confusion.

"You never heard the legend? About the Lake of Death, and..."

"... I see." She cut me off. "So, you believe in that legend, too?" She said in a sad tone.

"Well, I'm not sure, but..."

"Raena was one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. She would never do anything bad. I swear it."

"I-I really want to believe that, but I've been hurt by so many people in the past... So, I..."

"Would you like to see a picture of her?"

"A p-picture? I..." I'm afraid to see it...

Despite me not answering her, she went to get the picture anyway. She then handed me the frame holding it.

"Here you are."

Although hesitant, I decided to look at the photo...

... And as soon as I did, a huge wave of relief washed over me.

It isn't her... Thank goodness.

The girl and Tear shared the same eye color, but the girl in the picture had long, turquoise-colored hair. Completely different from Tear's short, pale green hair.

Seriously, what's wrong with me?! How could I ever doubt Tear like that? I'm so stupid...

"There's no way Tear is Raena..."

"What? Of course not! Tear is a boy, after all." Ms. Pensil chuckled.

"Y-yeah, right..."

"Well, I think we've kept poor Tear waiting long enough. Please hurry and bring him to his room, alright?"

"You're right. He's starting to get heavy, anyway." I started to head out the door. "See you later."

But as soon as I tried to leave, she decided to tell me one more thing.

"... If you truly value your friendship with Tear, always make sure to believe in him, okay?"

I-I know. You don't need to tell me that...

--

Present time...

It's felt like so long since I came back to my room without Tear after school... I thought to myself, lying on my bed, waiting for her to return from training as usual.

I guess it's for the best, so she's strong enough to help us face the next monster. And it's pretty convenient that one hasn't appeared since that Monster Paint thing showed up...

I jolted out of bed, upon realizing something.

"Wait a second, why hasn't a monster appeared since then...?!"

"I'm back, Ail..." Tear came in the room, looking kind of exhausted.

"Are you alright, Tear?" I asked, walking up to her.

"Um, yes. I'm fine." She replied reassuringly. "I'm starting to get the hang of using my brush in its current state. There are apparently more paints I can use now, so it's taking a while to learn how to use them..."

"How long is it going to take for you to finish already?!" I said, failing to hide how upset I was.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm really doing the best I can, so..." She said sadly.

"That's not what I mean. It's just... I miss the days when I would come here after school and see you here waiting for me. I'm sick of having to be the one to wait for you all the time, especially since you're always gone for a while..."

"E-eh?" A blush appeared on her face. "Y-you really like having me around that much?"

"Of course I do!"

"Y-you don't think I'm annoying or anything...?" She started to fidget nervously.

"No way! You're... y-y'know... My best friend, so..." I started to blush slightly myself. "So I could never think you're annoying..."

Jeez, now she's starting to make me feel embarrassed...

"B-best friend? Really? T-thank you so much, Ail!" The brightest smile I've ever seen on her appeared on her face. "It makes me so happy to hear that!"

She doesn't need to be so cheery about it... Well, whatever. I guess if she's this happy right now, then I'm happy too.

"So, how goes your training?" She asked me.

"Um, my training?"

"Heehee, you know; for the concert. It's tomorrow, right?"

"Oh yeah, the concer-... It's TOMORROW!?" The show completely slipped my mind!

"W-wha, Ail! Don't tell me you forgot about it!" Tear said worriedly, surprised by my response. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I-I'll be fine! I practiced a little bit, and I'll have time to get ready tomorrow before it starts."

"Oh, okay." She breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good..."

That almost gave me a heart attack...

"It's kind of hot today..." She fanned herself near the collar of her sweatshirt.

"Really? I don't think so. Maybe it's because of all the training you did today?"

"Yeah, you're probably right. I hope I didn't get too much sweat on my sweatshirt..."

"Why?"

"It's very important to me. And because of my situation, I don't get many chances to wash it..."

Yeesh... That stinks...

"Wait, it's important to you? I thought you just needed it to hide the fact you're a girl..."

"Before I transferred to this school, I lived with my grandmother in another region for a while. She knitted me this sweatshirt for me before I left." She embraced herself. "The warmth it gives me reminds me of her, so it helps me when I feel uneasy..."

"I see. Although it might be giving you a bit too much warmth right now..."

"Y-yeah..."

"Hm..." I thought about it for a bit. "Hey, Tear. If we went somewhere far away from here, it would be fine if you didn't have to wear your sweatshirt for a while, right?"

"W-what?" She looked at me with a puzzled look, not expecting the statement I just made. "U-um, sure? I suppose... Why?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out and do something fun for a change. You've been working hard lately, so you deserve a reward, anyway."

"Something... fun?" Tear asked me questioningly. "You mean right now?"

"Yeah. And don't worry, it'll all be on me today. Okay?"

"A-are you sure? Wouldn't that be troublesome for you?"

"Nope. It's fine."

"And you have the concert to do tomorrow, so doing something like this might no-..."

"I said it's fine, Tear." I reiterated, more sternly this time. "This is something I really want to do, so no more excuses."

"O-okay...!" She said with a small smile on her face.

--

We left the school entrance and went around to the bicycle area like last time.

"So, we'll be riding 'Motor Bike' again?" Tear asked.

I sighed. "I already told you that's just its brand name. That's not what it's actually called."

"Oh, are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure..."

I got on my moped and started the engine.

"Okay, get on."

"U-um, okay..." Tear climbed on, grabbing onto my shoulders. She seemed to be scared by the engine noise...

"... Huh, seems familiar..."

"I'm sorry; I'm not used to it yet..."

"I told you it's better for you to grab onto my waist. And I thought you said it was fun last time?"

"I-I know... Sorry..." She moved her arms to the proper location.

"Let's go!" I hit the gas pedal, and drove away from the school grounds toward our new destination.

--

"So, where are we going, exactly?" Tear asked me, after realizing her surroundings were becoming unfamiliar to her.

"We're heading to an area in southern Neturus. It's close to where I used to live." I answered. "It'll take a while to get there; I hope that's okay."

Tear moved her head over my shoulder slightly to look at the fuel gauge. "B-but won't that waste a lot of your gas? Maybe this isn't a good idea..."

"Tear, we're already on the road. Are you seriously trying to stop me now?"

"Um..."

"To be honest, I've wanted to do something like this with you for a while now." I told her reassuringly. "So I think it's worth it."

"Really?"

"Yep. It'll be nice to do something without having to worry about school-related stuff. It'll be just the two of us."

"Yeah, I guess you're right..."

She said nothing else for a while, but then...

"... Wait, just us two?! T-that means..."

"That means... what?" I asked her, confused.

"T-this'll be like a... A da-..."

"Huh?"

"N-never mind..."

--

After about an hour, we made it to where I wanted to go: a place full of chain stores in southern Neturus.

"Wow!" Tear looked around, seemingly amazed. "What is this place?"

"You've never been to a shopping plaza before?"

"Shopping... plaza? You mean none of these places are houses?!"

I chuckled. "Is there anywhere specific you'd like to go to first?" I asked, while still driving around.

"U-um, this is still a lot for me to take in... So I'm not sure..." Tear replied, obviously not used to this sort of thing.

"Hm..." I looked around, until something caught my eye. "Ah! That place is perfect!"

"Huh?"

I stopped in front of the store in question.

"B-but this place is...!"

"Okay first, hand me your sweatshirt." I ordered.

"What?! B-but Ail..." She hugged herself nervously. "... what if someone that knows us is here? They'll see..."

"You have absolutely nothing to worry about." I assured her. "Why do you think I took you here in the first place?"

"I-I..."

Although hesitant at first, Tear eventually gave in and took it off. She handed it to me and I stored it in the trunk of my moped.

"Okay, let's go!" I said happily, grabbing her hand and dragging her into the store.

I opened the door and a bell sound chimed signaling the arrival of a customer.

"Welcome~!" Greeted the young, female clerk merrily. "Thank you for stopping by! We have all the latest styles and fashions for veeery cheap prices~!"

I wonder to how many people she's said that to...

"Ail, why a clothes store?" Tear finally decided to ask.

"I'm sure you'd like to wear something different for a change, right? Something nice, or at least something better than that plain, white T-shirt."

"Oh, are you shopping for your girlfriend? How sweet~!"

"E-eh?!" Tear's face turned beet red.

My face turned red from embarrassment myself. "N-no, she's not...!"

"I've got just the perfect look for you, you little cutie! Come with me~!"

Tear was dragged off again, this time by the clerk toward the changing room.

"Wait, s-stop!" She cried out, but to no avail.

The clerk left Tear in the other room while she roamed around picking out some clothes.

"Here we are~!"

She went toward the changing room and handed the clothes to Tear across the curtain.

"Put this on, sweetie! I'm sure he's gonna looove it~!"

"U-um, alright..."

So she ended up going along with it...

The clerk left her alone and walked back to me.

"I made sure to give her a super cute outfit!" She said with a big grin on her face. "I bet you can't wait to see what she looks like, huh~?"

"I, uh..." Well, I guess it would be a lie to say I'm not at least a little curious...

"You both are sooo adorable! You make such a cute couple~!"

"Um, yeah, about that... We're not actually dating. We're just friends..."

"Aw, there's no need to be shy! It's okay; I understand~!"

Listen to me, woman!

"U-um, I'm ready..." Tear uttered suddenly, with a jittery voice. "I-I think..."

"Alright, then come out and show your boyfriend how you look~!"

She began to open the curtain slowly, shaking a bit from nervousness.

She doesn't need to act this nervous, does she?

She eventually got around to opening the curtain completely, revealing her in a simple, purple, one-piece dress.

"A-ah, I'm not used to dressing like this..." Tear said, embarrassed. "U-um..."

The outfit wasn't spectacular or anything, but for some reason, I couldn't help but be stunned at the way she looked right then. All I could think is that she was...

"Uh, Ail? Are you oka-..."

"... So cute..."

"EH?!" She squealed, her face turning as red as a tomato.

"A-ah, you know...!" I started, trying to catch myself, although probably with a face as red as hers. "That outfit; yeah! It's pretty cute, isn't it?!" I tried as hard as I could not stammer my speech.

"Oh! Y-yeah!" Tear added, speaking in a similar manner as me. "This outfit! It is pretty cute! I'm not sure it really suits me, though...!"

"Nonsense!" The clerk cut in suddenly. "You look great~! I personally think you'd look better with longer hair, but other than that, you look perfect~!"

"So, out of curiosity, how much does the outfit cost?" I decided to ask.

"Since I like you guys, I'll give it to you for the looow price of... $40~!"

"Ehhh?!" Tear and I exclaimed in unison.

"It's really that expensive...?" I uttered.

"Don't worry about it... This outfit doesn't go well together with someone like me, anyway..."

"Hey, don't be like that, you two! It's cutting-edge fashion; $40 for it is a bargain, I swear~!"

"Oh, really...?" I said, not believing a word she was saying.

"Besides, I'm sure you'd really like to spend time with her today while she's wearing that dress, riiight~?" The clerk added, with her comment obviously directed at me.

"Ergh..." I glanced at Tear in that outfit a second time.

"But I guess if you reeeally don't want t-..."

"Just shut up and take my money!" I shoved the money at her, her face beaming with delight.

Dang it, hormones...

--

I ended up buying the (pricey) outfit and stored the clothes she was wearing previously with her sweatshirt.

"U-um, is it really okay, Ail?" Tear asked me, after we started driving on the road once again.

"It's fine. We accomplished what we went there for, anyway."

"But still, it feels weird... Being in an outfit like this..."

"You don't like it at all?"

"Well, I don't entirely dislike it. It feels strange, but also kind of... refreshing?"

"'Refreshing'?"

"Y'know, the breeze... It feels nicer than usual."

"Ah, that must be because you're dressed a lot lighter now." I told her. "It seems making you wear a different outfit today was a good idea after all!"

"Y-yeah... I guess..." She said, her tone not hiding her embarrassment very well. "But still, I..."

I groaned. "What is it now?"

"You don't have to waste so much money for my sake... I'm fine with doing things with you that doesn't involve spending anything."

"Alright, I'll keep that in mi-..."

I was interrupted by Tear's stomach growling.

"... It doesn't seem like your stomach agrees with you."

"I-I'm sorry..."

"It's okay; let's go find a place to eat."

"Do you wish to dine? Well, then you have much luck!" Said an unfamiliar voice suddenly.

"Wha? Who..."

Out of nowhere, a man dressed like a waiter "gracefully" jumped in front of us.

"YAAHHH!!!" I floored the brakes, alarmed by the suicidal man. Thankfully, I was going pretty slow, so I didn't crash into him.

"T-that almost made me jump out of my seat...!" Tear uttered, catching her breath.

"Are you crazy?! What's wrong with you?!" I added, obviously peeved.

"But it was something essential! When I sensed your vibes, I absolutely knew I had to have you two partake in my cuisine!"

"Um, 'vibes'?"

"Come! Right this way!" The waiter stated, forcing us into what was apparently a restaurant.

--

The place was pretty ritzy-looking, and the table the waiter had us sit at was probably the ritziest of them all.

"Well, so much for saving my money..." I said with a sigh.

"W-we don't need to eat at a place like this, Ail. Let's go somewhere else..."

"Do not worry!" The waiter reassured us. "Money will be no issue! I will give special discount to the two with grand love vibes!"

"E-eh? Love vibes?!" Tear exclaimed, hiding her face in embarrassment.

"Yes; I have yet to witness such a grand couple such as yourselves!"

There goes someone confusing us for a couple again...

"Hey buddy, we're not a cou-..."

"Enough talk! I, Mister Waitah, shall go prepare your savory meal this instant!"

... and there also goes someone who won't listen to me... Wait, shouldn't he be taking our order first?

Before I could say anything, the waiter left our side gracefully and went to go cook.

"Jeez, I wonder if he's related to chef boy...?"

"U-uh Ail, is this okay? I, um..." Tear fidgeted, still looking flustered. "That man thinks we are... y-y'know..."

"Well, he's not going to make us pay much for our meal, apparently. Might as well take advantage of it..." I sighed. "I have no idea what he's making us, though."

"The cuisine, it is ready." Said the waiter, standing next to us holding a big plate of food.

Wow, that was fast! You certainly don't do your name as "waiter" justice, bud!

"Here you are." He set the plate down for us.

"... Fish?" Tear said questioningly.

"Indeed. According to the vibes that was sensed from you both, I knew that I must make the most spectacular plate of fish ever!"

... I'm not even going to say anything...

"Um, Ail, is this okay?" Tear asked me suddenly. "The fish, I mean..."

"What? You don't like fish?"

"N-no, I'm fine. But you, you're..."

"Oh, don't worry, I actually love fish. So there's no problem."

"O-okay, then. Never mind..." She said nothing afterward, silently eating her meal.

While eating the food myself, I noticed the waiter was still there, watching us eat.

"How long are you going to be standing there?" I asked him, finding his presence rather awkward.

"Oh, do not mind me. I would just like to know your opinions on my cuisine."

"Speaking of which, how much is it going to cost?"

"Oh, do not worry! It is, how you say, on house!"

"You mean it's free?!" Tear shouted in disbelief.

"Meeting a lovely couple with grand love vibes is payment enough!"

"B-but we're no-..."

"... Don't bother, Tear. Let's just take his offer and eat..."

--

I hate to admit it, I mean I really hate to admit it, but the fish that guy made was actually pretty good. I guess he wasn't all talk after all...

... Huh, I'm feeling a strong case of déja vu right now...

Anyway, after we finished eating, I decided to immediately leave the place, since we apparently didn't have to pay. Tear made sure to thank him, though.

"I hope when I open own restaurant in other region I meet people with grand love vibes like yours!"

You're not even the owner?! What were you doing giving people free food, then?

"Jeez, that guy talks too much..." I sighed, hoping back on my moped.

"He was very nice, though." Tear said, sitting behind me like usual. "And the food was good, too."

"I guess..." I started the engine, and started to drive around again. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"I'm not sure..." She thought about it a bit, until something caught her attention. "Oh! What's that?"

She pointed at something happening at the center of the plaza.

"A carnival? This wasn't around the last time I was here..."

"It looks like fun!" Tear said with a excited tone in her voice. "Can we go there? Pleeease?"

"Sure, if you want to go there so badly."

It's good to see Tear finally getting excited about something. Although it doesn't look like my wallet is leaving unscathed after all...

To be Continued in Chapter 12...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Writer's Comments:

Over 11 pages?! Dang! Although I had a feeling this would one would be kind of long, because the opening synopsis ended up being longer than I thought it would be, and part of the last chapter had to be moved to this one. After all, Tear can't narrate when she's unconscious, right? Those two alone took up 3 pages, so...

But jeez, nothing that major even happens in this one; there isn't even a monster fight! And to think I thought the original version of this chapter was long enough that I had to spilt it into two chapters (I cut it off at the same point this time too, in case you're wondering). The second part will continue in the next chapter, hence the irregular "To be Continued in Chapter 12..." at the end.

Well, besides the above, there isn't much I want to say this time... Except: I hate you, clothing store lady. Editing in all of your emphasized words was such a pain! Nghgrr...

*sigh* Whatever, until next month... bye!

- CS-Masyet