In the Spring of 1999, a hopeful young man had his dreams shattered.
Keitaro Urashima, 19 year old second time hopeful for the prestigious Tokyo University, felt his dreams for the future slip through his fingers like sand. Standing before the results board, he checked for the nth time to make sure he was unable to see his number. He had even asked a couple of the people around him if they could help, in case he kept missing it due to his bad eyesight.
Yet no matter how many times he asked... how many times he searched... it was not there. Keitaro Urashima, student number A35628, had failed to get into Toudai a second time.
Burned out, all the nervous energy he had built up that morning just left him.By the time he realized he still hadn't moved from his spot, he was standing before the results board alone. With a sigh, Keitaro made his way home, dragging his feet along the way as he could already imagine what his mother would say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You failed AGAIN?!"
Wincing at the force of his mother's shout, Keitaro had to keep himself from putting his hands over his ears to protect his poor eardrums. While it would have comforted him, it would only make his mother's rage that much worse. Currently, the family was sitting around the dinner table, his father doing his best to hide behind his newspaper while his mother seemed to be doing her level best to break the sound barrier with her cries.
"What do you think you're doing?! The prep school sent a letter saying your chances of getting into Tokyo University are zero percent! You know we can't afford to have you go to school just to fulfill some childhood promise!"
While his mother's tirades had never been this loud before, Keitaro thought he knew what to expect from them. After the first time he had failed, his mother had done her best to try and get Keitaro to try for another school. When he steadfastly refused, she made her displeasure known every so often. Still, this was the first time she brought up the promise he was adamant about keeping...
"Why don't you try something else? You like to draw, so why not try an art college? Even if it doesn't lead anywhere, at least you can build from it for something else! Or how about quitting school altogether and taking over the sweet shop? You make those incredible chocolates for yourself every Valentine's Day, so put those skills to work and give up this ridiculous dream of yours!"
Every word seemed to hammer down Keitaro's shield of indifference. It was still the same as before, this conversation exactly like every other his mother had with him, but that didn't mean the words didn't sting. Clenching his fist, the chopsticks in his hand seemed to audibly creak in his grip as he tried to withstand her tirade.
"You're already 19 years old for Kami's sake! If you wish to continue this foolish ambition, then get out! I'll only allow you to stay here if you wise up and go for something actually achievable for you!"
His mother's words hit Keitaro deeply. Looking down at his barely touched food, Keitaro set his chopsticks down and nodded. Slowly, he got up without a word and began walking to his room.
"Keitaro? KEITARO! Where are you going?! I'm not done with you yet!"
Turning back to his mother, Keitaro smiled softly, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. In fact, they looked almost dead as he regarded her. "... I'm going to bed... then I'll be leaving in the morning." Turning back to his mother, Keitaro bowed deeply, before moving to his room, the gobsmacked look on his mother's face giving him only a small spark of satisfaction as he entered his room.
Turning to her husband, Keitaro's mother tried to figure out what she did wrong... but only a long sigh and the turn of the newspaper as he read on answered her. "Anata, don't just sit there, say something to him!"
Glancing up at his wife, Keitaro's father arched a brow, before shaking his head, folding his newspaper up and setting it gently on trhe table. "I believe, darling, you've said enough for both of us. I believe what he needs is time, and one way or another, something will work out." And before his shocked wife's eyes, Keitaro's father just sat there and began to calmly eat his meal, glad for the peace and quiet at the table for a change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as he entered his room, Keitaro spotted a brown package on his desk, a note sitting next to it. Moving to it, he picked up the note and glanced it over curiously.
'Keitaro,
This package came in the mail. Seems to be from a friend of your Grandmother Hinata. Make sure to properly send a letter of thanks.
Dad.'
Shaking his head at the note, Keitaro took a moment to inspect the package. Reaching to pick it up, Keitaro was surprised at how heavy it was for its size. Narrowing his eyes, Keitaro considered the possibilities, before shrugging and setting it back on his desk. 'Probably another encyclopedia set. Granny's friends seem to think they'll help for some reason...' Letting out a yawn, Keitaro prepared for bed. While early, he wanted to avoid meeting anyone in the house when he left. That, and after the day he had, he felt incredibly tired.
Falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, Keitaro slept the sleep of the exhausted, thus he never noticed how the package on his desk seemed to shudder and shake for a few moments before finally calming down...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keitaro woke early the following morning, spending a good half an hour staring at the ceiling as he recalled the events of the previous day. 'Well, I already said I'd do it, but where do I go from here?' he thought as he pulled himself out of bed. Sighing softly, he began to go through the annoying task of packing up necessities. If he was going to find a new place to live, he'd need to make sure he took only the essentials til he could call on his father to send his things.
IF he could find a new place.
Amongst his essentials, Keitaro made sure to pack four things, his art supplies, his Print Club Collection, his Exam Ticket... and after a moment of hesitation, the brown package on his desk. While staring intently at the package, Keitaro suddenly recalled something about his grandmother.
She ran an Inn.
It was a long shot... but she was the only relative he had that was relatively nearby. No... that wasn't quite right. His Aunt Haruka lived with Granny as well from what he recalled. Hopefully he could appeal to them to let him stay and work at the Inn! With a vague hope and the slight beginnings of an actual plan, Keitaro double checked to make sure he had everything, before opening his door, nearly running headlong into his father in his rush to get to his Grandmother's Inn.
"I see you are eager to get on your way."
Keitaro's father had always been a quiet presence in Keitaro's life. His father would usually sit back and let his wife do the talking, though in turn this made it easy for everyone to talk to him. it also made the few times he spoke stand out, making even his mother quiet down when he had something to say. Smiling softly at his son, Keitaro's father held out a small envelope and patted Keitaro on the shoulder.
"Directions to Grandmother's Inn and Haruka's Tea House are in there, along with a little something from me. Don't mind your mother... just stay true to yourself son."
With that and another firm pat on his son's shoulder, Keitaro's father moved from the doorway back to his bedroom. Looking down at the envelope in his hands, Keitaro carefully opened it. Inside was a folded paper he assumed was the directions his father told him about... and a large sum of money. Gasping, Keitaro looked down the hall, only to find his father already had gone to his room. Biting his bottom lip, Keitaro carefully put the envelope into his bag before bowing deeply in the direction of his parents' room, wiping away at the tears that threatened to form as he silently thanks his father.
With a soft farewell, Keitaro adjusted the bag on his shoulder before leaving his home, eager to pursue the faint hope this new direction gave him and hopeful that he could do his father proud.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The train and trolley rides needed to get to Hinata Hot Springs from his home seemed to blur for Keitaro. His minde was constantly running across the possibilities of what would happen once he got there. He had almost missed his stop because of it, despite the loud announcements of the trolley's arrival.
Half remembered scenery passed by him as his feet seemed to move of their own volition. Every step closer to his goal brought a mix of hope and doubts. Would they remember him? he hadn't seen his Grandmother or his Aunt in a long while. And even if they did remember him, would they allow him to stay?Would he bother the guests there by arriving? Would the staff treat him nicely, or be rude because they might see him as a freeloader? Underneath these constant worries lay one simple voice of reason, so soft it was barely a whisper, yet it made itself known through the din of his barrage of self-imposed questions.
'Where else do you have to go?'
His mind quieted at the question. There was no where else. If this did not pan out... well... he had enough to stay at a very cheap apartment for a while til he found a job. He might even have to put off a year of prep school to get a job if that proved to be the only option. But before all that... he wanted to try here first.
Mind and heart finally set, Keitaro stopped moving and blinked, finding himself standing before a large three story building, its older style and slightly worn look marking it as well aged. Gripping the strap of his bag tightly, Keitaro swallowed, before stepping to the door. It was now or never. Pulling it open firmly, the young man let out a loud greeting.
"Hello! Sorry for the intrusion, my name is Keitaro Urashima!"
He wasn't exactly sure what to expect when he got here. Perhaps his Grandmother and Aunt standing in the entryway, waiting for him. Or someone standing behind the reception desk with a welcoming smile on her face. Heck, he would have settled for some random guests staring at him incredulously before moving about their business.
What he didn't expect... was nothing.
Only silence greeted him as he gazed into the entry hall, a worried frown on his face as he looked about. "Grandma Hinata? Aunt Haruka? Is anyone about?"
Waiting a few more moments, Keitaro sighed softly when no answer came. Closing the door behind him, the young Ronin made his way carefully through the hallway, helping himself to a pair of house slippers as he did. "Maybe Granny has a tourist group and is showing them around Hinata Hot Springs..." Keitaro muttered to himself as he made his way up the stairs. It was the only reason he could think of for no one to be around... even if it felt like he was reaching.
Still, whatever the case, Keitaro figured the best place to wait would be his Grandmother's room. Finding the door easily, Keitaro slipped inside and set his pack down with a relieved sigh. A quick glance around revealed the place to be farely Spartan, only a few items on the shelves showing any of his Grandmother's personality. A small sheep statue, a few vases... 'Perhaps Grandma likes to keep things simple?' the thought didn't help ease the heavy feeling of doubt growing within him.
Shaking his head, Keitaro sat down next to his backpack and began to sift through its contents, all this thinking about his Grandmother finally bringing the odd package back to the fore of his memory. 'I wanted to ask Granny about it... but now seems as good a time as any to open it.' Pulling the thick package out, Keitaro examined it curiously, before carefully undoing the brown paper wrapping. In little time at all, an odd book was revealed, sitting in his lap as Keitaro stared at it incredulously. Wrapped in chains was a thick brown book with gold trim, what appeared to be a bladed cross of some kind embossed heavily on the front cover and spine. Idly running his fingers over the design, Keitaro could feel the cold metal of the cross. Whoever made the book spent quite a hefty sum on it if they could make the design out of actual gold. At the center of either side of the book, where the chains met and almost obscured the crosses, was circular metal ring, a round purple gem sitting directly at the center.
"What the hell is this for...?" Keitaro muttered as he tried to figure out the book. Even if it wasn't wrapped in chains, Keitaro couldn't understand what the book could possibly be about. And why was it wrapped in chains? Giving them an experimental tug, he found they were tightly bound to the book. No slack whatsoever... and from what he could tell, there was no lock either.
"Geez.... maybe it's some kinda magic book of something" he said jokingly as he set it down. "Or maybe a puzzle of somekind. 'Find the best hints of studying by opening this book!', sounds like somethying a senile friend of Grandma's might do." Shaking his head, Keitaro laughed as he placed a hand over it. "What were those magic words I heard once...? Ah! Abra Kadabra, Alakazam!" With a playful wave of his hand, Keitaro enunciated the last word with a point of his finger... before breaking out into laughter. Falling onto his back on the floor, Keitaro let out a long sigh, the laughter having helped ease his unease from being in the seemingly empty hotel.
Just as he was about to let his mind wander, Keitaro noticed an purple light shining from the table he placed the book on. Curious, Keitaro sat up, his eyes widening as the dark light seemed to grow in intensity before the book floated up from the table. Panicking, Keitaro backpedaled til he was against the wall, watching fearfully as the book started to float towards him. As the dark light grew stronger, the book's covers seemed to have pulsing veins appear on it, an audible pulsing sound not unlike a slow, heavy heartbeat filling his ears as it drew nearer. When it was only a foot before him, the book strained against the chains binding it... til the chains burst, the book opening wide before the frightened Ronin, blank pages flipping ominously before him.
A robotic voice seemed to come from the book as the pages flew past, and while he couldn't recognize the language, for some reason he felt he could understand what the Book was saying.
[Releasing Seal]
Keitaro could only stare as the last page of the book was flipped through, revealing the bare inner cover of the back. With a final 'clap', the Book shut and began floating down towards him. Unable to get away, Keitaro swallowed as the Book's cross seemed to stare directly at him.
[Activating]
Not far from the Hinata-sou, a newly lit cigarette fell from the lips of one Haruka Urashima as a massive pulse of magic washed over her before it vanished. Feeling her knees give out from under her, Haruka caught herself against the wall over her coffee shop, a cold sweat dripping down her brow as she tried to catch her breath.'What... is this magical energy....? Is it coming from the Dorm..?' Clutching at a pendant hidden beneath her sweater, Haruka set the closed sign over her door before muttering a soft phrase. A brief flash of light enveloped her, then with a brief tense of her legs and a masculine voice calling out [Flash Move], Haruka flew towards the top of the steps. Her goal, the source of the brief magical surge before any of the girls came home.
'I'm getting too old for this...'
Keitaro Urashima, 19 year old second time hopeful for the prestigious Tokyo University, felt his dreams for the future slip through his fingers like sand. Standing before the results board, he checked for the nth time to make sure he was unable to see his number. He had even asked a couple of the people around him if they could help, in case he kept missing it due to his bad eyesight.
Yet no matter how many times he asked... how many times he searched... it was not there. Keitaro Urashima, student number A35628, had failed to get into Toudai a second time.
Burned out, all the nervous energy he had built up that morning just left him.By the time he realized he still hadn't moved from his spot, he was standing before the results board alone. With a sigh, Keitaro made his way home, dragging his feet along the way as he could already imagine what his mother would say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You failed AGAIN?!"
Wincing at the force of his mother's shout, Keitaro had to keep himself from putting his hands over his ears to protect his poor eardrums. While it would have comforted him, it would only make his mother's rage that much worse. Currently, the family was sitting around the dinner table, his father doing his best to hide behind his newspaper while his mother seemed to be doing her level best to break the sound barrier with her cries.
"What do you think you're doing?! The prep school sent a letter saying your chances of getting into Tokyo University are zero percent! You know we can't afford to have you go to school just to fulfill some childhood promise!"
While his mother's tirades had never been this loud before, Keitaro thought he knew what to expect from them. After the first time he had failed, his mother had done her best to try and get Keitaro to try for another school. When he steadfastly refused, she made her displeasure known every so often. Still, this was the first time she brought up the promise he was adamant about keeping...
"Why don't you try something else? You like to draw, so why not try an art college? Even if it doesn't lead anywhere, at least you can build from it for something else! Or how about quitting school altogether and taking over the sweet shop? You make those incredible chocolates for yourself every Valentine's Day, so put those skills to work and give up this ridiculous dream of yours!"
Every word seemed to hammer down Keitaro's shield of indifference. It was still the same as before, this conversation exactly like every other his mother had with him, but that didn't mean the words didn't sting. Clenching his fist, the chopsticks in his hand seemed to audibly creak in his grip as he tried to withstand her tirade.
"You're already 19 years old for Kami's sake! If you wish to continue this foolish ambition, then get out! I'll only allow you to stay here if you wise up and go for something actually achievable for you!"
His mother's words hit Keitaro deeply. Looking down at his barely touched food, Keitaro set his chopsticks down and nodded. Slowly, he got up without a word and began walking to his room.
"Keitaro? KEITARO! Where are you going?! I'm not done with you yet!"
Turning back to his mother, Keitaro smiled softly, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. In fact, they looked almost dead as he regarded her. "... I'm going to bed... then I'll be leaving in the morning." Turning back to his mother, Keitaro bowed deeply, before moving to his room, the gobsmacked look on his mother's face giving him only a small spark of satisfaction as he entered his room.
Turning to her husband, Keitaro's mother tried to figure out what she did wrong... but only a long sigh and the turn of the newspaper as he read on answered her. "Anata, don't just sit there, say something to him!"
Glancing up at his wife, Keitaro's father arched a brow, before shaking his head, folding his newspaper up and setting it gently on trhe table. "I believe, darling, you've said enough for both of us. I believe what he needs is time, and one way or another, something will work out." And before his shocked wife's eyes, Keitaro's father just sat there and began to calmly eat his meal, glad for the peace and quiet at the table for a change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as he entered his room, Keitaro spotted a brown package on his desk, a note sitting next to it. Moving to it, he picked up the note and glanced it over curiously.
'Keitaro,
This package came in the mail. Seems to be from a friend of your Grandmother Hinata. Make sure to properly send a letter of thanks.
Dad.'
Shaking his head at the note, Keitaro took a moment to inspect the package. Reaching to pick it up, Keitaro was surprised at how heavy it was for its size. Narrowing his eyes, Keitaro considered the possibilities, before shrugging and setting it back on his desk. 'Probably another encyclopedia set. Granny's friends seem to think they'll help for some reason...' Letting out a yawn, Keitaro prepared for bed. While early, he wanted to avoid meeting anyone in the house when he left. That, and after the day he had, he felt incredibly tired.
Falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, Keitaro slept the sleep of the exhausted, thus he never noticed how the package on his desk seemed to shudder and shake for a few moments before finally calming down...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keitaro woke early the following morning, spending a good half an hour staring at the ceiling as he recalled the events of the previous day. 'Well, I already said I'd do it, but where do I go from here?' he thought as he pulled himself out of bed. Sighing softly, he began to go through the annoying task of packing up necessities. If he was going to find a new place to live, he'd need to make sure he took only the essentials til he could call on his father to send his things.
IF he could find a new place.
Amongst his essentials, Keitaro made sure to pack four things, his art supplies, his Print Club Collection, his Exam Ticket... and after a moment of hesitation, the brown package on his desk. While staring intently at the package, Keitaro suddenly recalled something about his grandmother.
She ran an Inn.
It was a long shot... but she was the only relative he had that was relatively nearby. No... that wasn't quite right. His Aunt Haruka lived with Granny as well from what he recalled. Hopefully he could appeal to them to let him stay and work at the Inn! With a vague hope and the slight beginnings of an actual plan, Keitaro double checked to make sure he had everything, before opening his door, nearly running headlong into his father in his rush to get to his Grandmother's Inn.
"I see you are eager to get on your way."
Keitaro's father had always been a quiet presence in Keitaro's life. His father would usually sit back and let his wife do the talking, though in turn this made it easy for everyone to talk to him. it also made the few times he spoke stand out, making even his mother quiet down when he had something to say. Smiling softly at his son, Keitaro's father held out a small envelope and patted Keitaro on the shoulder.
"Directions to Grandmother's Inn and Haruka's Tea House are in there, along with a little something from me. Don't mind your mother... just stay true to yourself son."
With that and another firm pat on his son's shoulder, Keitaro's father moved from the doorway back to his bedroom. Looking down at the envelope in his hands, Keitaro carefully opened it. Inside was a folded paper he assumed was the directions his father told him about... and a large sum of money. Gasping, Keitaro looked down the hall, only to find his father already had gone to his room. Biting his bottom lip, Keitaro carefully put the envelope into his bag before bowing deeply in the direction of his parents' room, wiping away at the tears that threatened to form as he silently thanks his father.
With a soft farewell, Keitaro adjusted the bag on his shoulder before leaving his home, eager to pursue the faint hope this new direction gave him and hopeful that he could do his father proud.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The train and trolley rides needed to get to Hinata Hot Springs from his home seemed to blur for Keitaro. His minde was constantly running across the possibilities of what would happen once he got there. He had almost missed his stop because of it, despite the loud announcements of the trolley's arrival.
Half remembered scenery passed by him as his feet seemed to move of their own volition. Every step closer to his goal brought a mix of hope and doubts. Would they remember him? he hadn't seen his Grandmother or his Aunt in a long while. And even if they did remember him, would they allow him to stay?Would he bother the guests there by arriving? Would the staff treat him nicely, or be rude because they might see him as a freeloader? Underneath these constant worries lay one simple voice of reason, so soft it was barely a whisper, yet it made itself known through the din of his barrage of self-imposed questions.
'Where else do you have to go?'
His mind quieted at the question. There was no where else. If this did not pan out... well... he had enough to stay at a very cheap apartment for a while til he found a job. He might even have to put off a year of prep school to get a job if that proved to be the only option. But before all that... he wanted to try here first.
Mind and heart finally set, Keitaro stopped moving and blinked, finding himself standing before a large three story building, its older style and slightly worn look marking it as well aged. Gripping the strap of his bag tightly, Keitaro swallowed, before stepping to the door. It was now or never. Pulling it open firmly, the young man let out a loud greeting.
"Hello! Sorry for the intrusion, my name is Keitaro Urashima!"
He wasn't exactly sure what to expect when he got here. Perhaps his Grandmother and Aunt standing in the entryway, waiting for him. Or someone standing behind the reception desk with a welcoming smile on her face. Heck, he would have settled for some random guests staring at him incredulously before moving about their business.
What he didn't expect... was nothing.
Only silence greeted him as he gazed into the entry hall, a worried frown on his face as he looked about. "Grandma Hinata? Aunt Haruka? Is anyone about?"
Waiting a few more moments, Keitaro sighed softly when no answer came. Closing the door behind him, the young Ronin made his way carefully through the hallway, helping himself to a pair of house slippers as he did. "Maybe Granny has a tourist group and is showing them around Hinata Hot Springs..." Keitaro muttered to himself as he made his way up the stairs. It was the only reason he could think of for no one to be around... even if it felt like he was reaching.
Still, whatever the case, Keitaro figured the best place to wait would be his Grandmother's room. Finding the door easily, Keitaro slipped inside and set his pack down with a relieved sigh. A quick glance around revealed the place to be farely Spartan, only a few items on the shelves showing any of his Grandmother's personality. A small sheep statue, a few vases... 'Perhaps Grandma likes to keep things simple?' the thought didn't help ease the heavy feeling of doubt growing within him.
Shaking his head, Keitaro sat down next to his backpack and began to sift through its contents, all this thinking about his Grandmother finally bringing the odd package back to the fore of his memory. 'I wanted to ask Granny about it... but now seems as good a time as any to open it.' Pulling the thick package out, Keitaro examined it curiously, before carefully undoing the brown paper wrapping. In little time at all, an odd book was revealed, sitting in his lap as Keitaro stared at it incredulously. Wrapped in chains was a thick brown book with gold trim, what appeared to be a bladed cross of some kind embossed heavily on the front cover and spine. Idly running his fingers over the design, Keitaro could feel the cold metal of the cross. Whoever made the book spent quite a hefty sum on it if they could make the design out of actual gold. At the center of either side of the book, where the chains met and almost obscured the crosses, was circular metal ring, a round purple gem sitting directly at the center.
"What the hell is this for...?" Keitaro muttered as he tried to figure out the book. Even if it wasn't wrapped in chains, Keitaro couldn't understand what the book could possibly be about. And why was it wrapped in chains? Giving them an experimental tug, he found they were tightly bound to the book. No slack whatsoever... and from what he could tell, there was no lock either.
"Geez.... maybe it's some kinda magic book of something" he said jokingly as he set it down. "Or maybe a puzzle of somekind. 'Find the best hints of studying by opening this book!', sounds like somethying a senile friend of Grandma's might do." Shaking his head, Keitaro laughed as he placed a hand over it. "What were those magic words I heard once...? Ah! Abra Kadabra, Alakazam!" With a playful wave of his hand, Keitaro enunciated the last word with a point of his finger... before breaking out into laughter. Falling onto his back on the floor, Keitaro let out a long sigh, the laughter having helped ease his unease from being in the seemingly empty hotel.
Just as he was about to let his mind wander, Keitaro noticed an purple light shining from the table he placed the book on. Curious, Keitaro sat up, his eyes widening as the dark light seemed to grow in intensity before the book floated up from the table. Panicking, Keitaro backpedaled til he was against the wall, watching fearfully as the book started to float towards him. As the dark light grew stronger, the book's covers seemed to have pulsing veins appear on it, an audible pulsing sound not unlike a slow, heavy heartbeat filling his ears as it drew nearer. When it was only a foot before him, the book strained against the chains binding it... til the chains burst, the book opening wide before the frightened Ronin, blank pages flipping ominously before him.
A robotic voice seemed to come from the book as the pages flew past, and while he couldn't recognize the language, for some reason he felt he could understand what the Book was saying.
[Releasing Seal]
Keitaro could only stare as the last page of the book was flipped through, revealing the bare inner cover of the back. With a final 'clap', the Book shut and began floating down towards him. Unable to get away, Keitaro swallowed as the Book's cross seemed to stare directly at him.
[Activating]
Not far from the Hinata-sou, a newly lit cigarette fell from the lips of one Haruka Urashima as a massive pulse of magic washed over her before it vanished. Feeling her knees give out from under her, Haruka caught herself against the wall over her coffee shop, a cold sweat dripping down her brow as she tried to catch her breath.'What... is this magical energy....? Is it coming from the Dorm..?' Clutching at a pendant hidden beneath her sweater, Haruka set the closed sign over her door before muttering a soft phrase. A brief flash of light enveloped her, then with a brief tense of her legs and a masculine voice calling out [Flash Move], Haruka flew towards the top of the steps. Her goal, the source of the brief magical surge before any of the girls came home.
'I'm getting too old for this...'
