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"I see. In that case, you should leave this team."
"What... but... Matsuoka-San why! Is-Is it because i'm weak? Because i'm all talk and no skill... Be-because..."
"Yeah. You were just here make up the numbers. But i now know that's not enough to beat him... I'm glad we cleared this up."
A door slams in her face. It felt as if her entire world had just come crashing down around her; believe me, it had. No longer would she be able to play Survival Games, but that's not what was really troubling her. She loved Survival Games yes, but she had just lost something so much more important than her ability to participate in the sport. She lost her team mates, her neighbors, her trusted friends; they just threw her away like she was nothing. Had the past few months meant nothing at all? Was their whole friendship just a farce? These people she trusted, these adults she admired, the very people she would turn to when she needed support, left her alone, vulnerable to the cold night winds, and, emotionally, a wreck.
She picked up her shoes, carefully placed outside ahead of time. It just showed how planned out all this really was, how they had already decided to be rid of her no matter how tonight had played out. She really was just some interchangeable pawn in their twised game.
Hotaru looked at her door, she knew the moment she walked inside her lonesome apartment the tears would start falling. She'd fall in bed to upset to change out of her uniform; she'd look to the picture on her nightstand, of the Toy☆GunGun Trio smiling having a fun time, it'd mock her all night long until she was to exhausted from crying to stay awake any longer. She knew exactly this would happen, and no matter how much she wanted to just get today over with, she did not go inside her apartment, instead slipping her shoes on and walking down the steps; going wherever her feet would take her.
Hotaru isn't exactly sure how she ended up at the mall. What time was it and how long had she been wandering about? Honestly she had no clue, everything after the door slaming shut was a blur to her. She sat down and sighed, trying to think of what to do. Not just weather or not to go home now, but what would her life be like now without Matsuoka and Yukimura, without her trusted so called friends.
"Hotaru?" A voice called, she didn't notice, to lost in thought.
"Hotaru it is you!" A pink-haired girl hugged her, knocking her out of the deep thought she had been in.
"Huh, Kanae?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here tonight? We could have come together!"
Hotaru was at a loss for words. She had so many things she wanted to say, but she just couldn't get herself to actually speak. She looked at Kanae, tears building in her eyes.
"Hotaru what happened? What's wrong?"
She hugged her friend, finally letting her pent up tears fall.
Kanae, unsure of what she could do, just rubbed her friends back and told her everything would be alright.
"I can't believe they'd do that Hotaru. Just push you away like nothing. They're not nice people at all. We're going to go give them a piece of my mind!" she stood, about to storm off
"Kanae no!" Hotaru grabbed her friends arm, "Please just... Please i don't want to see them again... I just want to forget everything Kanae, please don't make me go back. Please."
It was in this moment Kanae realize something, Hotaru was scared. The strong willed girl who wouldn't hesitate to fight for what she thought was right, who would always stand up for others, was to scared to do so for herself now. Just what did those men do to her to make her this way? She shouldn't go back there, not tonight anyway. "Hotaru, lets go to my home. Stay the night with me."
She nodded then followed her friend.
The girls sat in bed and talked all night. Hotaru told her everything, how she met Matsuoka and Yukimura, first impressions, learning to love Survival Games, getting her own gun, TGC, everything; expect for lying about her gender, not like it mattered now anyway.
"Maybe i'm just not meant to play Survival Games. I'm sorry Kanae, after everything you did today at school to convince me not to quit, they go and just kick me off the team, i really am just worthless."
"What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know... I can't play by myself. Or rather, i don't think i want to continue regardless. I mean you said it yourself, 'Survival Games aren't for girls,' i should just stop."
"Hotaru only if that's what you truely want to do. You love Survival Games."
Hotaru thought a moment, yes, she did love Survival Games. She loved the thrill, the action, seeing her team mates smiling faces-- but they aren't her team mates anymore. She'd never be able to feel that way again, that part of her life was now over. It made it want to cry just thinking about it, but all her tears had already been used. She turned away from Kanae and pulled the blanket up close to her. "We should sleep, it's late."
"Y-yeah. Right." Kanae couldn't help but be worried at how distant Hotaru sounded, but she didn't know what else to say. She turned off the table light and layed down, "Good night Hotaru."
Hotaru turned back to face her, "Thank you Kanae, for everything; Thank you."
Kanae awoke to her alarm for school. She quickly turned if off and watched Hotaru for a moment, she looked so peaceful in her sleep. Today was Thursday, but after the night she had Hotaru shouldn't go to school, she should stay here and rest. She did her best not to wake her sleeping friend and went to get ready, only to find when she had returned Hotaru was already up and getting ready too.
"Hotaru what are you doing? I wasn't going to wake you."
"I can't miss school just because i'm upset."
"But you must be exhausted."
"I'll be fine. I could use the distraction."
"Only if you think you can handle it"
"I'm sure."
Kanae shurgged and handed her a change of clothes, "here."
"What's this?"
"You can't wear the same uniform two days in a row, wear one of mine. I'll put yours to be washed while we're at school. You have enough time to shower before we leave too"
"Thank you Kanae. I don't know how to repay you for everything"
"Simple, you pay for dinner tonight" she winked
"It's a deal" Hotaru ran off to the bathroom.
Kanae wouldn't let it show, but she was very worried. Hotaru just wasn't herself at all today. She didn't pick a fight with the two third-years who were bullying a first-year. She was extremely quiet and when she did speak is was just below a whisper. Her eyes were dull. She hardly ate anything during breakfast and lunch. She didn't fight at all when Kanae told her to wear a skirt to school, just the complete opposite of her normal energetic self.
They sat at Kanae's table eating their dinner. Well Kanae ate, Hotaru mostly just picked at her food.
"Hotaru, you're staying the night again."
"Ah no, you already did so much, I'll be going now." She stood up
Kanae grabbed her by the back of the shirt. "That wasn't a question, i was telling you you're staying the night again."
She wasn't sure what to say, she just watched
"I'm worried about you Hotaru. Please just stay the night again, for my sake."
She nodded, "Thank you Kanae."
Hotaru never returned home that night, Yukimura was extremely worried. He had waited outside for her all day, but she never appeared. At one point he thought maybe she hadn't left her home at all today, he entered her unlocked appartment only to find she was no where to be found inside. He wasn't sure what to do other than sit outside and wait. Matsuoka arrived home earlier than normal, no doubt he had done something stupid at work because he was upset. That idiot. He's acting as if Hotaru had pushed him away, when he's the very reason why Hotaru is gone. Yuki refused to talk to Matsuoka when he asked why he was sitting outside. Fed up with this train-wreck of a day Matsuoka goes to bed, and Yuki sat outside all night long waiting for Hotaru to return.
The next day, Friday, at school Hotaru wasn't any better, if anything she was worse. She didn't fight when Kanae joked about wearing a skirt again, though she did end up wearing her male uniform. Her eyes were glazed over, showing no emotion. She didn't say more than one or two words the entire day. She signed a lot, without even noticing. She didn't even look twice at a student being bullied. Honestly, she felt dead inside. Hotaru left quickly when school ended, Kanae caught up to her but Hotaru insisted on going back to her own appartment and couldn't be convinced otherwise. Hotaru didn't go straight home though, she wandered around her neighborhood for hours, to lost in thought while trying to gain the courage to go back. It wasn't until an officer stopped her to say it's dangerous to be out this late that Hotaru did actually start to walk to her appartment.
Yuki had still been waiting for Hotaru, waiting and extremely worried. He had lots of things he wanted to say to his missing friend, "Tachibana-Kun i'm so sorry for what Mattsun did, please come back" "I know i'm the last person you want to see right now but please listen to what i have to say" "Mattsun's such a coward" "Please, help me save Mattsun. He can't move on without you," but once he saw her approaching the steps to the complex, he ran. To scared to face her, to much of a coward to make things right. Idiot. Stupid. Coward. He's supposed to be an adult yet he can't even face Hotaru, can't bring himself to see her angry and upset. "Why did you let him kick me off? Why didn't you try to stop him? Do you even care about me?" He pictured her asking, and to be honest he didn't have an answer. He watched her climb the steps and enter her appartment. He couldn't help but notice how sad she looked, but he couldn't face her, not now, not like this.
Hotaru didn't leave her appartment that weekend, to ashamed to show herself, to afraid she might run into them. She sat in bed all day, exhausted but unable to sleep. Minutes, hours, days pasted by in a blur to her. She went to school, but wasn't really there. Her body followed the motions but her mind was stuck in a deep darkness that seemed impossible to escape from.
It's been a week now, and Kanae has reached her limit; she can't stand to see Hotaru this sad and depressed anymore, she just can't. She had hoped with time Hotaru would move on, but now she's really worried Hotaru might try something dangerous. Just what did those men do make her this way? Were Survival Games really that great? She had to find out. Had to figure out how to make Hotaru happy again.
'Echizen, this must be the place Hotaru talked about.' As Kanae entered the store she nearly had a heart attack, surely her Hotaru would never come to such a dangerous place as this? It looked like a Mafia hideout! Just what had she gotten herself into?
"Can I help you?" The man behind the counter glared
Kanae jumped back "Um well maybe, Do you know Tachibana Hotaru? From Toy☆GunGun."
He looked at her suspiciously, "I can neither confirm nor deny anything"
"I-I see, well Hotaru is my friend. I've been very worried about her you see, her team mates kicked her off the team and well-"
"Toy☆GunGun's Matsuoka and Yukimura kicked Tachibana Hotaru off the team?"
"Y-Yes they kicked Hotaru off the team. She's been very upset about it and i was wondering if maybe you could please explain Survival Games to me... So i can find a way to make Hotaru happy again..."
"Tachibana Hotaru has a lot of talent, i'd hate to see him quit participating. You wish to learn the art of Survival Games to team up with him?"
"Y-yes i'd like to know what it is and how to play it"
"I see. Well for starters you'll need a gun- you're under 18 right?- The guns you can purchase will be on the shelf to the right, go take a look"
Kanae looked at all the guns on the shelf, and even she could tell, they looked like cheap toys that would break after 10 minutes. She was about to ask what he recomended when something caught her eye. The most amazing looking pink and white gun hanging on the wall.
"Wah so cute! What's this one!!"
"Mm? Oh that's the H&K G36C Pink Custom. Pain in the butt to get rid of those damn things i don't know why i ever ordered it."
"It's so cute! How much is this one?"
"Well that's only for over 18s, you'll need to have an adult with you"
"Have her take that gun up top." A boy in a hoodie spoke up, he had brown hair and looked to be in his twenties. He was standing behind the counter but Kanae didn't remember seeing him until now.
"Haruki-" the owner glared
"I'll act as her guardian. I'm only doing this for my benifit, if she forms a team with the brat then i can get my spot back. Besides, you hate that gun anyway"
The owner sighed, "i hate doinging this," he grabbed the pink G36C off the rack, "follow me, if you can pass a shooting test you'll get this gun for free."
"Eh really? Thank you!" She hugged him
"You have amazing aim, is this really your first time shooting?"
"Y-yes it is."
"That gun is a perfect fit for you. I've only seen a handful of people with accuracy like yours"
"Hotaru is one of those people?" She teased, expecting to hear 'Hotaru is the best'
"Tachibana Hotaru has unbelievably bad aim."
"Huh really?!"
"Yes, however, that child possesses so much raw talent and an overwhelming desire to win. He can accurately seek out anyone and is a monster on the battlefield."
"I don't really understand any of that"
The manager proceeded to explain everything she needed to know about Survival Games, how the game is played, different types of battles, it's origins, battle skills and strategies. He helped her pick out her protective gear to purchase (A half face mask and goggles, a girl's face must be protected after all, plus a forrest green skirt and matching vest) a gun bag, spare batteries and mags, a charger, and, of course, a large sum of BB's. As Kanae was leaving Haruki gave her the info for the next few Survival Games matches taking place at Hotaru's normal feild, she thanked him and went on her way.
Kanae was banging on Hotaru's door until she opened it
"Kanae, what are you-"
The pink haired girl pushed her way inside and sat on Hotaru's bed. She sat down her bags and pretended like nothing was unsual.
Hotaru just shrugged and sat down next to her, letting out a sigh.
After about a minute of silence Kanae spoke, "Geez you're not even going to ask what's in the bags Hotaru?"
Hotatu just looked to her, not saying a word.
"We're going to play Survival Games tomorrow!"
"Eh?"
"Also you'll need to buy me lunch until i get paied next week cause i sorta spent all i had getting the equipment, but anyway we're playing Survival Games together now."
"What are you talking about Kanae?"
"You're old team kicked you off, so you and I will start a new team. Simple as that."
"I, I don't know Kanae... I don't think this is such a good idea"
"Hotaru i can't stand seeing you so down and depressed. I'm worried about you, extremely worried. If playing Survival Games is something you love, then i'll happliy participate with you. Just because you're old team treated you badly doesn't mean you can never smile again."
"Kanae i don't know what to say," she hugged her friend.
"Well you can call me awesome for starters."
And so the day arived, Hotaru and Kanae were up bright and early to make it to the feild in time; already in their battle clothes. Kanae wasn't sure what to feel. She was excited to be participating with Hotaru, yet she was extremely worried this day might turn out badly. She just hoped for the best. Hotaru was a nervous wreck, just the very thought of Survival Games made her stomach turn. She was worried about running into Matsuoka and Yukimura, she couldn't face them, not now, not when the very thought of them made her want to burst into tears. She wasn't mad at them, she could never hate them. She was just hurt, extremely hurt, but not mad, never mad.
"Tachibana?" A voice called out, Hotaru was to busy sulking to notice. "Tachibana it is you!" A woman ran up and hugged Hotaru
"What who- Oh Captain Sagara, good morning." Hotaru tried to fake being happy, but it was obvious something else was on her mind
"Hotaru you know this Woman?" Kanae asked curiously
"Yes, Kanae this is Captain Sagara, she participates in Survival Games aswell."
"Nice to meet you Kanae" Sagara smiled "Say Tachibana where is your team? We're starting off with a Yellow vs. Red Battle today and wanted Matsuoka to be captain of the Red team"
"I wouldn't know, I'm not apart of Toy☆GunGun anymore, sorry." Hotaru sounded so sad saying that
"You're not? Oh did you have a fight with Matsuoka-Kun again?" she messed up Hotaru's hair "You shouldn't worry yourself kiddo, they care about you to much to ever kick you off the team you know this."
Hotaru remained quiet, Kanae was about to speak up when Sagara got called over else where.
"Say if your not with Toy☆GunGun you should join the yellow team today, we'd love to have you both." She added as she was walking away
The first few rounds were pretty boring. Hotaru was sulking on the feild, not even trying to hide or fight at all, meanwhile Kanae was making to much noise from panicing and asking Hotaru what to do. Kanae hadn't actually been shot yet, but she would call 'hit' whenever Hotaru got out because she didn't want to be left alone on the feild.
But his round Hotaru and Kanae got separated by mistake. Hotaru was leaning on a tree thinking to herself how useless she was. She was no help to anyone, not in real life, not at school, and definitely not in Survival Games. Hotaru was about to leave the feild, pretending to be hit, just so she could exit, when Sagara ran up to her.
"Tachibana what are you doing? I was watching you never got hit."
"I'm not of any use so i should just leave."
"Nonsense, you're a great asset"
"I'm all talk and no skill... i'm just here to make up the numbers..."
"Tachibana you're an amazing player. I'm not exactly sure what happened between you and your team, but today we're team mates, please consider how your actions will effect us."
Hotaru looked away, unsure of how to respond.
"Your friend, Kanae, she has amazing aim, you two would have a lot of fun participating together i'm sure," Sagara turned to walk away, "Why no go find her and try playing seriously?"
She left Hotaru there to think. Sagara was right, she hadn't thought about how her actions effected everyone else, especially Kanae. She said Kanae has amazing aim, but Hotaru hadn't paid any attention to Kanae's Survival Game skills. Where was Kanae right now? She should go find her.
Hotaru heard someone scream, she imediatly ran in that direction. She saw Kanae sneaking up on someone from the Red Team who had tackled a person from Yellow Team, no doubt the person who had screamed just now. Kanae was being sneaky, however Hotaru ran up to them yelling and shooting like crazy.
"Huh i'm not hit?"
*Bang*
"Damn it! hit"
"Way to go Kanae you hit him on your first shot!" Hotaru hugged her friend
"You really do have bad aim" Kanae mumbled
"What was that?"
"Nothing, just i can see why you have so much fun doing this"
The rest of the day went on like this, Hotaru seeking out enimies then running in like crazy while Kanae shot them dowm when they were distracted. They really did have a lot of fun. They agreed to play more often.
"You two make the perfect team" Captain Sagara commented as they were leaving the feild for the day. Hotaru and Kanae thanked her then headed over to Kanae's house for a sleep over.
Meanwhile back at the appartment complex Matsuoka, Yukimura, and Haruki were all crying and appologizing to each other. Toy☆GunGun had a third member again.
Weeks go by and life goes on. Hotaru and Kanae started a Survival Game club at school and now had a third member, a blue haired girl named Aya. They had seattled on the team name 'Flying Justice', Hotaru's idea of course, but they both happily agreed to it. Hotaru's aim has gotten better thanks to Kanae helping her out, she still wasn't hitting on target 100% of the time but she was doing so with a lot more accuracy than before. Hotaru was also now more open about her gender, after an awkward run in with Captain Sagara in the womans restroom that is, at first she tried to come up with an excuse as to why she was in there, then remembering it was okay now if people knew she was a girl, and proudly told her the truth, Tachibana Hotaru is a girl. "Survival Games needs more girls Tachibana-Chan, glad to have you!" Life was great.
Yukimura never got a chance to appologize to Hotaru, and it eats at him everyday. Everytime he sees her door he wants to burst inside yelling "i'm sorry Tachibana-Kun, i'm so sorry" but the time for appologies has long sense pasted, and he missed his chance. He hated himself for letting her go, but he just couldn't bring himself to face her. He hated himself, he hated being so weak. But he needed to be strong for Muttsun. Matsuoka was still upset about how he treated Hotaru, but he had no idea how to make it right. He was to scared to face her, to scared to see what he had done to her, so he avoided her as best he could. But late at night when he'd try to sleep, thoughts of Hotaru would fill his head. He'd replay their final moments together, them happily enjoying their party, trying to forget the destroyed look on her face as he slammed the door shut. He'd ignore the way his heart would beat faster at the thought of Hotaru, it was just guilt afterall, nothing more, couldn't be. It became an unspoken rule not to mention Hotaru in conversation, for both their sakes. They just couldn't handle being reminded of Hotaru. They still participated in Survival Games, and they had Haruki back, they were very thankful to have Haruki back, but they couldn't just completely forget about Tachibana Hotaru. They avoided going to their normal Survival Game feild at all costs, they couldn't be reminded of him, they've become quite the regulars at the Survival Game S.E.A.L.S. feild, but it's just not the same.
At school the girls were talking
"Hotaru-Senpai, why do you let everyone think you're a boy? I mean, don't you get annoyed by it?" Aya questioned
"Ah i don't care how people view me i suppose. I mean i know i'm a girl, and it's easier in most cases not to correct people. I just don't let it bother me." She sipped her drink
"You should wear a skirt Hotaru!!" Kanae had that evil look in her eye, she pulled out a skirt from who knows where and started chasing Hotaru
"AH KANAE NO!" She ran from her a bit then Aya interrupted
"Kanae-Senpai is right though, if you wear a skirt less people will think you're a boy"
"But if i wear a skirt people might see my underwear" Hotaru whined "Besides, i do wear girly clothes outside of school"
"Orange hoodie-vest and a black Tee, very feminie"
"I didn't mean during Survival Games!"
"She's right though, your Survival Game outfit makes you look like a 10 yearold boy."
"Geez if you hate it that much i'll get a new one."
"One that makes you look like a girl?"
"Fine fine, help me pick something out after school today."
"Deal."
"Sounds like fun!"
"I'm not wearing a skirt Kanae"
"But we'll look so cute if we all match"
"I move around to much, people will see my underwear"
"Hotaru-Senpai, why not wear tights?"
"Yeah black leggings would look so cute on you Hotaru!"
"Nhhhh i don't know"
In the end Hotaru ended up getting a skirt to wear. The trio of girls would wear a forest green skirt and tight fitting vest, a long sleeved black shirt and black leggings, a green beret, brown gloves, knee pads and a pink arm band, Kanae insisted on the color, reading their team name Flying Justice.
Hotaru hated to admit it, but she looked good in her new uniform. Like really good. No way could anyone mistake her for a boy now, and she seemed to be able to move around in it quite well. She was home now wearing her outfit and doing cool poses infront of her mirror, saying a few heroic catch phrases too because she could. Kanae texted her,
《 Hotaruuuuuuuuu, the Flag Tournament starts tomorrow, you're coming over to stay the night right? Aya is already on her way over.》 *Ding* 《Don't forget to bring your new uniform too! 》*Ding* 《 Infact just get rid of your old uniform, you don't need it anymore. See you soon! (*^▽^*) 》
《 Yes i'm still coming, I won't forget it, see you both in a bit. 》 she replied.
Hotaru changed out of her outfit and back into normal clothes. She sat down on her bed for a moment to think. She grabbed her original Survival Game uniform, her orange hoodie-vest, khaki pants, black Tee and gloves, olive knee pads, she sat them on her bed and just watched them, thinking about anything and everything. She dug around in her bag a bit more and pulled out two arm bands, one yellow and the other red, they had the Toy☆GunGun logo on them. She sat them on top of the uniform and just watched it sitting on her bed. She wasn't sure what to do. She couldn't just throw them out, that would be a waste, but what should she do with them? Speaking of which, where did she get them in the first place? She had to think hard, then it dawned on her, this uniform belonged to Matsuoka, not her. Matsuoka gave it to her during her first Survival Game. She suddenly felt like puking. She knew what she had to do. She took a deep sigh and placed them in a plastic bag from the convenience store. She packed her equipment bag and and overnight bag and headed out, stopping to hang the bag with her old uniform on Matsuoka's door, then went on her way to Kanae's house, to her new team, who wanted her, who were really her friends. Suddenly, a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders.
It was about time for Matsuoka to be coming home, Yuki walked outside to greet him when he noticed the bag on Mattsun's door. He wasn't sure what he expected, maybe Haruki left a treat on each of their doors? He looked at his door, nothing. Surely Haruki wouldn't get only Mattsun a treat and not him. Maybe it was a secret admirer? Like one of the women he met at the Host Club? No, it was a bag from the convenience store, surely they'd be more classy with a gift he thought.
"Well, i'm sure Mattsun won't mind if i take a peak" he said to himself
"If you take a peak at what Yuki?" Matsuoka said leaning on his friend back
"Mattsun your back!" Yuki yelled excitedly "Someone left a bag on your door" he pointed to said bag
"Ah probably another secret admirer" he said so proudly "Being a host has it's perks." He reached for the bag and they both looked inside.
You could hear their hearts breaking. Yuki looked horrified and Matsuoka was fighting back tears. What did this all mean? After all this time he returns the uniform? Has he given up survival games? Was this a cry for help? Has, has he given up on life, was-- was Hotaru about to ty something dangerous? Matsuoka threw the bag on the ground and ran to Hotaru's door and tried the knob, locked, he started to bang on the door and yelled for Hotaru to open up. Yuki just watched, to scared to move. Matsuoka ran inside his appartment and frantically dug around in a drawer until he found the key he wanted, Hotaru's spare house key to be exact, she had given it to him in case she ever got locked out by mistake, he never got a chance to return it. He unlocked her door and ran inside yelling, it was dark. He checked the bathroom, the bedroom, he looked over the whole appartment but Hotaru was nowhere to be found. He was panicing, unsure what to do.
"Mattsun, look" Yuki pointed to the calender on Hotaru's refrigerator.
Matsuoka ran up to it and saw what Yuki was pointing too, written on it was tomorrow morning at their old feild, there was a match going on.
"I.. i don't understand"
"Looks like Tachibana-Kun still is participating, but why give you his uniform?"
Matsuoka was a crying mess, "Because it was my uniform Yuki... His sense of justice wouldn't allow him to keep it forever."
Yuki just nodded, agreeing with what Matsuoka had said.
"Yuki... Text Haruki for me, we're going to our regular feild tomorrow."
"Yes Mattsun."
The two men left her appartment.
The sun rises, it's a new day. Hotaru and her friends arived at the feild, already in uniform, but a tad bit late. They had pre-registered for this tournament and already knew their table number, 43, but still needed to check in. Hotaru ran to check in her team while Kanae and Aya were running to their table in an attempt to get their guns ready in time.
"You made it just in time, we were about to disqualify your team." The man told her
"Sorry sorry." She hurridly signed the needed papers
"Your first match starts in 2 minutes, if you hurry you'll had enough time to drop your bag by your table" he handed her todays schedule
"Thanks!" She yelled as she ran off
"Good luck! You're going against your old team first!" He yelled after her, but she was to distracted to notice
Meanwhile Kanae and Aya were at their table hurridly trying to make sure their guns had BB's and they had spare mags on them. There were 3 men at table next to them, one rolled his eyes and muttered "amateurs", the second was reading a book, and the third was watching everyone in the crowd very closely, as if looking for someone.
Kanae was about to ask them to look at their schedule when she recognized their logo, Toy☆GunGun. She glared and was about to yell at them when the intercom speaker announced
"Will teams Flying Justice and Toy☆GunGun please come to feild 1 your match will be starting soon."
Kanae gritted her teeth, "we'll settle this on the feild" she told herself
"Should he wait for-" Aya asked
Kanae interrupted her "no, she'll meet us there."
Aya didn't know why Kanae suddenly was in such a bitter mood, infact she didn't know about Hotaru's old team at all, as far as she knew Hotaru had only been participating in Survival Games with Kanae.
Toy☆GunGun walked to the feild pretty fast, Kanae and Aya dragged their feet a bit to give Hotaru a bit more time... and so Kanae wouldn't attempt to strangle the 3 men. Hotaru came running up behind them and put her arms around her team mates,
"You didn't need to walk slow for me, thank you though" Hotaru smiled at her friends
Kanae just looked very annoyed, they were at the entrance to the feild now and the other team was talking with the reff
"Kanae what's-" Hotaru tried asking
"WE'RE GOING AGAINST THOSE TOY☆GUNGUN JERKS FIRST ROUND!" Kanae yelled out
"What-" it's all Hotaru had time to say before Matsuoka interupted
"Hey It's not nice to call us names!"
"Yeah what'd we ever do to you!" Yuki whined
"Damn supid amateurs" Haruki mumbled
"M-Matsuoka-San.....Y-Yukimura-San...What're..."
It took them a moment to realize who she was, they never expected to find their Hotaru like this.
"Tachibana-Kun, i never thought you were the type to cosplay" Yuki's eye lit up
"H-Hotaru" it's all Matsuoka could manage to say, he was scared of what she was going to do next, he braced himself for a punch
"I-I..." Hotaru stuttered
"HOW COULD YOU JUST THROW HOTARU AWAY LIKE THAT!" Kanae ran up to Matsuoka, she grabbed his shirt collar "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW YOU MADE HOTARU FEEL?! NO! YOU DIDN'T SEE HOW DESTROYED SHE WAS! YOU THREW HER AWAY WITH NO REGUARD TO HER FEELINGS! HONESTLY YOU CALL YOURSELF HER FRIENDS? YOU PEOPLE ARE SCUM!" Kanae pushed him a bit, the reff just watched because he was scared of Kanae.
"H-Hotaru.." Matsuoka was crying, he ran up to Hotaru and hugged her, "I'm sorry, i'm so sorry Hotaru, please Hotaru, we regret ever pushing you away"
She just blinked, she wasn't sure what to do. She didn't hug back. Matsuoka looked up to meet her eyes, he was expecting to see something on her face, anger, sadness, confusion, anything but the blank expression she wore.
"Um" Hotaru spoke "Can we please talk after the match? We're already running late as it is." Hotaru took a step away. "Toy☆GunGun enters the feild first, right?" She asked the reff, he nodded, "Okay, please enter the feild then" she looked to them.
Haruki walked in without a second thought, Yuki helped Matsuoka up and they both walked in together. Matsuoka was looking back at her, so confused and heart broken.
"Hotaru-Senpai what happened between you and those men?" Aya questioned
"Those were my old team mates, they are the ones who introduced me to Survival Games, well the blonde and black haired ones anyway. They kicked me off the team after we lost TGC."
"Scum bags" Kanae mumbled
"I had no idea... Are you okay? Will you be able to fight them"
"Yeah. I'll be fine. More importantly, we need to talk strategy."
Kanae and Aya were very concerned by Hotaru's lack of emotion, but they weren't sure what to say
"Yukimura, the black haired one, he doesn't have much stamina, he mostly stays back at the flag and will snipe anyone who tries to sneak up on Matsuoka, the blond one. Matsuoka is a good attacker and is an expert shot, he dual weilds by the way, he will most likely play forward with the third member while Yukimura plays defence.
Aya I think you should protect our flag while Kanae and I wait for the two of them to attack us, Toy☆GunGun always attacks first, once we get rid of the two attackers the tree of us will advance to distract Yukimura so we can capture their flag. Any questions?"
"Flying Justice please enter the feild"
"Alright, lets do this!" Hotaru ran in and they followed not long after.
GAME START
Like Hotaru predicted Haruki was an attacker, but Yukimura was an attacker as well, meaning Matsuoka was protecting the flag.
Haruki wasn't really trying to hide, he didn't expect the girls to have much skill. It was no surprise when Kanae shot him out in the first few minutes. "Ugh, HIT!"
A shot came really close to hitting Hotaru, she knew it had to be Yukimura. She followed the bullet trail to where it was shot from, then headed to where she knew Yuki would be hiding after, she knew her old team mates to well. She looked to Kanae and nodded. Hotaru ran out yelling and Yuki stepped out, but his gun was aimed at Kanae, she froze. *Bang* "H-Hit". Hotaru had quickly turned and shot Yuki. He was surprised. never expected Hotaru's aim to be that good, i mean, her aim used to be all over the place. But she shot it him. With accuracy. From a great distance. Just wow.
Kanae blew on a whistle and Aya quickly ran over, the three of them surrounded Matsuoka near the flag. He knew they were there but pretended not to notice. Aya ran in from the left and Kanae from the right, Hotaru right at him down the middle. He pulled out both his guns and instantly shot, *bang* *bang* Aya "Hit." Kanae "tsk, Hit!". Hotaru ran and hid, she had to admit she forgot what an amazing player Matsuoka was.
"Hotaru, come out and face me"
The top of her hat could be seen behind the barricade.
"I can see you damn it, come out here and face me like a man!"
No movment.
In a fit of anger he ran over to her, only to discover only her hat was there. His eyes widdened from shock, he realized his mistake but it was too late
"Freeze" she called gun pointed at the back of his head, bloodlust look in her eyes. He raised his hands and slowly turned to face her. He closed his eyes to brace himself to be shot, but after a few seconds nothing had happened. He opened his eyes and looked around only to hear the buzzer going off a moment later, signaling his flag had been captured.
Hotaru skipped back over to where he was and grabbed her hat, "Thank you Matsuoka-San! That was a really fun match!"
"H-Hotaru, why"
WILL THE REMAINING PLAYERS PLEASE LEAVE THE FEILD WE HAVE TO PREPAIRE FOR THE NEXT MATCH
"We shouldn't talk here, but we can back at the tables Matsuoka-San" she smiled at him the same smile she always used to.
Hotaru talked with Aya and Kanae on the way back to the tables smiling happily and acting out what had happened just like she used to do with Toy☆GunGun. Matsuoka just watched, completely baffeled by her lack of hatred twords him.
"Who won?" Haruki glared at Matsuoka back at the tables.
"T-They did."
"AH I RIPPED MY TIGHTS!" Hotaru whined to her team in shock
"Don't worry Hotaru-Senpai i know a trick to fix them" Aya reached into her bag
"Tights?" Matsuoka questioned, he looked over at Hotaru, and only just now noticed Hotaru was wearing a skirt. He had noticed the matching uniforms, but it only now hit him they were wearing skirts and tights and, erm, he looked really cute.
"WHATDJA THINK YOUR DOING WEARING A SKIRT?!" Matsuoka basicly yelled
"Why shouldn't she? She's a tomboy but still a girl you know." Kanae stated bluntly
"W-WHAT!" Him and Yukimura both yelled.
Yukimura started mumbling to himself along the lines of "no wonder he never wanted my manga"
Matsuoka grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes "Hotaru, are you a girl?"
She looked away, "Yes."
He shook her so she would look at him again "Why. Didn't. You. Tell. Us."
Hotaru bit her lip. All the tears she had been holding back this whole time begain to fall. "WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT HAD MADE! YOU STILL WOULD HAVE KICKED ME OFF! YOU SAID IT YOURSELF I WAS JUST TO MAKE THE NUMBERS! Y-You never needed me"
Matsuoka hugged her, "Hotaru, i'm so sorry. For getting you involved in Survival Games, for TGC, for kicking you off, for everything. I'm so sorry, i never should have-"
"No i'm sorry, i, i should have told you i shouldn't have lied i-"
"Tachibana-Ku, Tachibana-Chan, i'm sorry for not aproaching you. I wanted to appologize as soon as Mattsun said to leave but i was to scared to face you, i'm so sorry" Yukinura hugged her aswell, crying.
They were all just crying and hugging. Then laughing.
"You make a fine leader Hotaru"
"M-Matsuoka-San"
"You're shots gotten way better too"
"Y-Yukimura-San"
"We should train together sometime!" He flashed his host smile
"We'd like that, very much." Hotaru smiled and they all hugged again.