(GS3) Field: Destroyed Shopping District

[Cece Lockhart]

Well again, thanks. I'm still trying to figure out how I ended up there. I can't remember anything that made me pass out in the middle of the woods." Noel replied back irritated that she can't remember a thing. "I'll gladly have a cardfight you once I rebuild my deck. Right now, I would like to go back to my hotel, I just want to go to my room and rest up and clear my mind some more. Maybe I can remember something once I get good enough rest." Noel said getting up with more energy now but noticed Tsubasa was looking behind at two people getting close to each other

[Hope]

"Til recently I didn't know what the feeling was either, but I know that you definitely are special to me and that you have a lot you can probably teach to me."

"I-I really don't know how this works either, I just saw this in movies. I would like to ask you to go out with me... and we can have fun adventures and stuff together..."

'I love you Hana'

'I don't think I can teach you much, but sure, let's have fun together.'

"Let's have fun together.." Hana whispered under her breath.

Memories of the day that she confessed to Mi-hime flowing through her mind. She felt Harooka's touch on her face, giving her a warm feeling all over, something that she couldn't believe. There was no response, she just let it happen. She encouraged it, that was a more accurate way to say it. She was able to move, she still had control of her body, but even consciously she moved closer towards him.

This past years has been the happiest in my life.
Beyond perfect... Really...
I have no reason to complain.
Actually, Mi-hime has taught me a lot.
Like how I had to work for her, worrying every minute about her.
How I wanted to show her to the world, but I couldn't.
How we promised to have fun but our one year anniversary was spent doing nothing..
...well

Moving.. she just moved, even her hand even moved down from her hat and held his hands as they caressed her face, the one that was adored throughout the world, in all the live shows, the one that she promised would really only be "Hana" to Mi-hime and Mi-hime alone. She grabbed his hand and let him continue on as he pleased. Her expression felt blank, but she was smiling. She didn't understand that she was smiling, but this was it, just the past few days was something she could be proud of. Listening to music under a tree, being mistaken as a couple by the public and facing the crowd together, holding each other's hands in a coffee shop, and teaching each other things through personal experiences. This was all fun, all very thrilling. This made her heart beat almost as much as when she preformed on stage.

Wait... this is wrong...
But... it feels right. I've always been taught to follow my heart.
My heart really doesn't know where its going either...

"Looks like you know how to stir a lot of things up, just not coffee," she joked, trying to keep her idol persona in tact. He was looking at her, but it seemed different from all the other times. She wasn't doing anything to make him do it. Han- Isabella wasn't trying to get anyone to look at her right now, it was actually the exact opposite, but it felt good. "Keep looking at me," she smiled at him. Eventually she felt grasp onto her.

'Yes, performing with you would be very nice!'

"I'm sure there's a spot for you, you're really talented. I'll never leave you behind, I've been thinking of you the whole time and how I could help you too actually."

She turned away, looking downwards and adjusting her hat to cover her face. Sitting back on her table, she picked up her pen and started scribbling, tear drops falling onto the paper, making it obvious that she was crying despite her efforts to hide it using the hat's brim.

Like a flower in the raging waves,
Lead the way, and overcome the wind.

[OverDrive]

Turning back his attention to Noel, Tsubasa takes out a piece of paper and writes some directions and some addresses. He hands her the paper.

"No need to thank me, here are all the directions you will need to get to the places you referred to.." he said.

"Let me have your number should you need anything, you clearly did not have someone else to ask for help from when I found you." he said, taking out his phone.

[Cece Lockhart]

"Ah, I been through these streets before. I should get back in no time. And uhh, I guess? Why not." Noel said and gave Tsubasa her number. Noel just made her first friend since arriving at this city. "Thanks a lot, I'll talk to you later to schedule that cardfight, take care!" Noel said and walks out after leaving a very generous tip at the table that even Tsubasa would get shocked at seeing if he looks down at the table at how much was left there.

Tsubasa AF +3

[Jello]

Everything had turned and twisted and warped and Haruka's perception of reality became mirror-imaged. Everything he was trying to escape, pain, hurting people, the idea that he was alone in all of this... All of it rushed back. Haruka felt an ugly warmth... no, he felt hot. He was already starting to swelter. His hand was came back to him, the boy was silent. Hana was in tears because he had done something.

Despite all the looks and the smiles and the foolish fun they had shared in the past few days, Haruka was obviously not what Hana needed right now. No matter how much she wanted him or just despised him for what he was as a person, he was only left with a couple of choices.

Why is it every night you leave this girl in tears...? Do you not see you're only hurting her?

Haruka stood, taking the tray away leaving the cupcake and frappe on the table with Hana. He looked up and forward, tightening his jaw as to not let anything spill out. He only wanted to say something quickly, and be concise. Hurting her anymore might cause a freak breakdown and that's not what he wanted. Hurting anyone ever again, was not an option.

He couldn't press forward with what he was doing. Not on his own free will. If Hana couldn't provide complete consent-no, if she wasn't willing to do it herself, Haruka would feel nothing but guilt for pressing forward. In fact, the gravity of his guilt was weighing down on him again. The heat was rising. Something was reaching back to him from the inside-out.

"H-Hana... My apologies." Haruka clears his throat. He was out-of-line. This was what she wanted, and she didn't want it anymore. Haruka had made a decision. Until Hana could tell him what she truly wanted. With words, not a wink or a smile or a look. He needed proof. Without words to know, Haruka was pushing boundaries that weren't his to bend and break.

"Before I go... is there anything else you need?" This was normally an obligatory line for people. But he was saying it out of true sincerity. If he could at least right a little bit of the wrong here, he would.

[Hope]

"Before I go... is there anything else you need?"

Hana answered, "Yeah, don't go." She lifted up her head to look at him, and she didn't have a hit of sadness on her face. She was smiling. Hana noticed that he was kind of acting awkward now, maybe he misunderstood something. Looking down on her paper, obvious tear stains ran across it. She concluded that that's what made him worry. She wiped her tears with her sleeve, some of it still flowing from her eyes.

"I'm not crying because I'm hurt silly, these are tears of joy. I'm actually glad..." her eyes shone brightly, and she looked at him warmly to give him confirmation that she really was happy and not just trying to make it seem so this time.

The excitement in her heart was definitely something to be cherished. Placing her hand on her heart, she took a deep breath. This was the kind of feeling that she's been yearning for a year, maybe her whole life. Could Mi-hime have given this to her? She didn't know that for a fact, but what she did know was the Harooka was doing so in this present moment. Hana held out her hand, inviting him to sit down next to her and hold it. "How much longer do you have to work? I can stay here for awhile since I'm still writing some songs." It really wasn't right, but at the same time it was. Hana was just following her heart the same that she did in order for her to become an idol, moving mindlessly like she did when she did her daily practice despite Bermuda Triangle being gone. There was no difference between subconscious and conscious action here. She accepted the fact that it was wrong, that she wouldn't be able to face Mi-hime or even Yukino, but another part of her beliefs said that this was the right thing to do, the part of her that kept on past the storm and helped her become an idol. The inner conflict within her mind was like a rope being tugged back and forth by her two moral belief systems, and eventually it just broke. One was taking over right now, another would in another moment. She was operating on auto-pilot, she stopped thinking the moment that she finished scribbling her lyrics on her notebook.

"Ha-ru-ka-kun..." She smiled and called out to him in a teasing manner, removing her hat and letting the light shine on her, giving him a full view of her face and hair.

[OverDrive]

Tsubasa recorded her number and began finishing his drink, he did not wish to continue watching Haruka and Hana, regardless of what they were doing it was none of his business to interfere, all he could do was just go to the place he wanted to be at the moment.

"..I should probably check up on Neu.." he thought, as he got up looking at the bill.

The site of what Noel did truly surprised him,"heh..It's good that she did not have her belongings stolen.." he said, as he began to make his way out of the coffee shop.

"...Good luck you two whatever you choose.." he thought, referring to Haruka and Hana.

[Jello]

"E-Ehh..." Haruka stood there, with a sort of look of confusion on his face. After a few moments, he closed his eyes, took one, two, three deep breaths. Opening them, a beautiful girl sat in front of him, calling out his name with a hand for him to hold. This was a familiar feeling. Comfort.

He took her hand, and sat down next to her. At first it felt foreign, probably because it wasn't Yukino's. Normally he felt a sort of chill that counteracted his heat, but it was different. Not cold. Not hot either. Just...

Hana. It was simply her, and that was all he knew. He interlocked his fingers in hers and sat there for a moment, looking at her. There were nearly thousands of questions running through his head and and all he could do was be there for her. Well, that's not all this was. He was here partly for Hana... but he wanted to be here too. Of his own volition. While his heart was torn in so many different directions, as long as they didn't go to a.. point of no return, Haruka felt as thought nothing was wrong here. Solace for two.

"Hey... Hana. Mind if we try that again?" Before she responds, he places his hand on her face again, running it down the side of her face, brushing hair behind her ear. It was cliche, but it was cute and Haruka liked it, so he went with that. Despite asking for permission, he sort of just did it on his own.

"What are you thinking right now?" Haruka was curious. More than curious, he needed to know at this point. Haruka's thoughts were clear; I want to be here with you right now. But Hana was having a mental tug-of-war and Haruka was completely unsure of what her true intentions were right now. What did she really want?

[Cipher Izanagi]

Seifer walked into the district with Rosalia, buying each of them ice cream with the money Satoshi had given them to splurge on ice cream. Really it was way to much and Seifer held onto the change to give back to Satoshi. The brunette and red head however chatted until they were done with the ice cream, with Rosalia going home early. It made him a bit sad, but he wasn't ready to go home yet. Instead he walked around the district some, still in his school clothes and with his bag held over his right shoulder. Actually now that he thought about it there was someone he didn't see at school and it made him worry a bit. "I hope she just had a different class than I did... I'd never hear the end of how it was my fault if something happened to her... Stupid father of hers..." he sighed, mumbling to himself about his missing sister though. He didn't really have to worry since she was alright, but he didn't know that, as he continued to walk around the district with his brow furrowed a bit, not noticing the group of people.

[Hope]

"I just want to be with you right now." She said, smiling as he ran his hand through her face.

Nodding her head, she moved over closer to him. It was thrilling, it felt great, that was also in her mind. It was the idea of this, she loved it, and imagined it in more way the one. The very concept entranced her, inspired her, as if it were a beautiful song. It was a new feeling, it was so very tempting... His hand felt nice, she wanted to keep going. A whole year of yearning this feeling, was this instant gratification? Was this immature? No, Hana's matured over the year, she isn't a child anymore. This was proof of it, Harooka who once treated her like a little sister was now touching her, acknowledging that she was now a woman. She already waited long enough for Mi-hime, and even took care of her. Right... keep on going. It was then that one of her songs played on the radio and she began to laugh a little.

"Don't you find this fun, the one who's singing that is right in front of you," She took his hands and placed it on her body. "Not just my face, I worked hard as idol for this too.. haha." Laughing, she let him taking in the feeling in her hands, meanwhile it felt nice. Her body was only for Mi-hime, yet, this was happening, it made her feel even more thrilled. "Doesn't this feel nice, ahhh. I feel like I huge weight is off my shoulders..." Hana's eyes looked at Harooka's, no longer feeling the discomfort that was present before.

She took her pen with her left hand again and began to write on her notepad once more.

Give her the breather's kiss, and watch her spirit lift.
She'll take over the stage, and take over the night.

[Jello]

Warmth was washing over his face. They were still in the cafe! Haruka wasn't altogether opposed to what was happening, but not while people could watch them. Technically he was off shift, close was coming soon but... He felt a mix of ignorant bliss, and guilty honesty.

His hands were holding the girl he only thought of nothing as but a friend and someone he had been proud of, but this was a whole different experience. He didn't move at first, just staring as she wrote on her pad. Haruka swallowed his guilt for a moment and smiled at Hana. He was happy with this too, as this was what he had been longing for, for a year. Comfort, warmth, compassion. The emotions he hadn't felt since New York.

"Hana. Yeah, it is fun. Thanks for coming tonight." He stands up from his seat, still holding onto her hand. Leaving a kiss on her hand, he pulls his fingers from hers. He bows once more, with his arms crossed behind and in front of him.

"Please, do come again." He joked, smiling still. He felt a new flame in him. He walked behind her for a moment, peering over her shoulder. The lyrics were really something else. They conveyed a message even he had trouble understanding.

"Try... We'll set fire to a hill, so intense that it will be the brightest star on this side of the sky." That was probably Haruka's only inspiration of words, ever. If he ever had another moment like that, he'd have to write some songs himself one day. He walked over to the counter, talking to the boss about getting off work. Closing time had come and he really needed to figure some things out in his head now...

One last time. He turned to Hana, planting one more kiss on the top of her head. It was a small thing. He even pet her for a moment like Seifer did with Rosalia. Did girls like that? He had no real idea. But it seemed adorable enough.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow or something... thanks again, for tonight." Haruka left the shop with his backpack in tow.

Tonight was really something...

You do not know what you are getting into, Haruka.

Hana AP+5

[Hope]

"Haha! See you tomorrow!" Her face was still glowing red from the the two kisses, her hand, her head. She waved at him as he exited the shop.

We'll set fire to a hill, so intense that it will be the
brightest star on this side of the sky

She closed her notebook after writing that line, placing her pen back into her bag along with the song book. Running her hand across her hair, she smiled, remembering the good feeling that came from his hands. Her body still felt it as well. It was great. After double checking if her table had been cleared, she lifted up her bag and stood up. Tonight was surely great, to think that this would happen just by chance. Was this fate? It was bad, but it was good. It wasn't right, but it was. The contrast, the juxtaposition of the situation at hand reminded her of Haruka-kun, the black suit, at opposition with his white hair. It was... cool... nice... great... thrilling... exciting, like what he did with her just now.

When she stood up from her chair she looked down on her table again, a card laid face down. It called out to her, but more so she felt as if something was already looking at her. Not her fans, no, the shop was closing, and there was almost no one around. It was the card itself. Usually they would speak to her before anything, but this one didn't. Isabella reached for it and turned it over.

"..."

The card's eyes were like hers. She looked at it and it bounced back at her, a reflection. Stars laid within the unit's eyes when it did with hers. Neither of them spoke because neither of them needed to speak. A Bermuda Triangle unit which represented Hana and Isabella's current state, as well as a title that fit both of her personas. A unit that had her eyes as she looked upon Haruka-kun tonight, ones that held enough serenity and beauty that it could turn anyone into a prisoner.

Duo Eye of Temptation, Reit

Affinity:
Haruka-kun: +5

[Beryl]

There was a bit of a gentle breeze tonight. Despite the warmth of the day, Hoshiko was much more habitable now than it was before. It was this period of time that was now Satoshi's time to flourish.

He had done this sort of thing long ago with Yukino and Haruka, staying awake for what seemed like unnecessary amounts of time, only to wake up in the middle of the evening the next day. It was quite the struggle to have a normal life, but the three of them had been far from normal. As far as he was concerned, they still all were, no matter if what Seifer said earlier was true.

It wasn't like Satoshi wanted to be recognized as a hero. The real "Hero of Liberation" title belonged to Tsubasa, the one who had freed Neu from the grasp of her pain and uncertainty about what Vanguard truly should be. It was just that the other four---him, Cero, Jellal and Seifer---had contributed to their success as well, even with failure. It was by mere coincidence that this sort of down-to-earth farmboy became the face of agriculture and naturally-made products in America. It was coincidence that this fame had led to windfalls of money he had no intention of spending that much of.

What had come out of all of it was a chance to live life his own way and not rely on others to do so. Self-sustenance. He had to make a trip to a studio in the area soon to send off another advertisement for another few thousand dollars, but that wasn't that pressing. He put his hands in his pockets, staring out over the district. It was this sort of thing, the fact that his face and attire was so recognizable, that he had to make a few changes. The coat he wore was part of them. He'd wear it in public to avoid confrontation, but in private, he was exactly that famous figure that acquired so much money to be a sponsored Vanguard player. He had agents practically lining up to manage him as though it would make them so much money and fame to do so.

But he didn't care. This wasn't what he wanted at all. He wanted to be in touch with a few close friends, have small get-togethers at his apartment, maybe invite them on a trip to Hawaii---

Right. That was the one thing he splurged for. Private flights to his beach house in Hawaii. That was actually a gift from a prominent CEO who wanted to make Vanguard his business. Ronald Drump, his name was. A big business owner that wanted to talk to him about making Cray into a reality. Whether or not he accepted, the home was a gift, and it was quite an extravagant gift. But it was that sort of thinking...

He held his head, trying to shake off the thoughts. Why did things have to get so complicated and difficult? It was almost better when he was homeless. Now he had so many responsibilities and concerns to think about, he could swear it was going to kill him.

And all the while, the voice took every opportunity it could to remind him of this.

"Your stress bubble is going to pop oh so very soon, and it's going to be the best thing---and the worst thing---to ever happen to you. And it will be oh so entertaining...hahaha..."

[Hope]

"Which one are you... Black or White?..." Reit asked
"Well I am wearing a black hat today..." Isabella tried forcing out a laugh.

The card finally spoke, but it only been asking the same question, over and over. Or... something similar.

"Which one do you like better? The white me... or the black?..."
"Well..." Isabella would then think.

Was there a difference? It seems that the other Bermuda Triangle units had silenced, this was now the only one she could hear. Isabella sat in the coffee shop, feeling about a hundred things, keeping a good deal of them in the back of her mind. She swallows it all like she swallows her guilt, taking out any of her cares for the world. Yukino was back, she sent her that lazy text cause she was in class, but its not like Isabella had any time to even worry about her over the year. She ha forgoven her, but nothing much was done beyond that. Either way, she waited for Haruka-kun in the coffee shop, knowing that Yukino's return had affected him the most.

[Jello]

Just go in, do what you gotta do, and go home. That's it.

Haruka tried three times to cancel work but felt bad each time he was about to call so he just decided he'd go in and work for a short shift. It would have to suffice, considering the recent arrival of his beloved.

He felt sick to his stomach even thinking of calling her that. He didn't deserve to call her that after what he's been doing the past few days.

Walking into the shop, Haruka was already suited up. His suit was the same as before, but his tie was white instead of black like the day before. Apparently they have a policy of attire and Haruka was given a choice between those two colors exclusively. He decided on white today, no particular reason.

The first thing he spotted on opening the door was, of course, Miss Hana Espoir. She must have been waiting for him.

How did she even get here before me?

Haruka looked at her for a moment. He adjusted his tie and nodded. His first instinct was to approach her but his self-imposed chains told him otherwise. He turned to the counter and went into the back, checking in with the head barista.

"I'll be out in a bit." Was all he left Hana with before he went to the back room. He needed to devise a plan, and fast. Today could be his last chance to make a decision. With Yukino back, there was no room for error