Fourth Anniversary

 

Akira stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets and smiled. He didn’t mind the bite in the air so much, seeing how Suuzu enjoyed getting out of doors. His friend might crave the safety and order of their dorm room, but he seemed equally attracted to the vast and changing sky. Peach and coral burned through clouds caught by the setting sun.

Kinda pretty.

Funny how he’d never given much thought to this stuff before. But Suuzu never seemed to get enough of two things—sky or sea. How long had it been since he went flying? Or trekked to a seaside place? Probably not since they were at Stately House—weeks ago.

“Say, everyone, is it okay if we stop in here?” asked Kimiko, hands pressed pleadingly. “I’ll be quick!”

“Certainly,” Suuzu murmured. “No need for haste.”

A convenience store. Not one of the big-name chain stores, but a pokey little place that looked like it had been in business since the granny behind the counter was their age. Kimi had a thing for little shops and seemed to know every single one in Keishi.

Akira rummaged through his pockets for change. “Want something, Isla? My treat.”

She poked through the change in his palm. Slim pickings. But she matched his grin and suggested, “Split a steamed bun with me?”

“Pork or red bean?” he quizzed, even though he already knew the answer.

Isla simply winked.

Akira ambled over to the counter to order the sweet bun. Finding Suuzu at his elbow, he asked, “Want one?”

The phoenix passed him more coins than necessary, so Akira bought four to share out.

A soft squeal of delight came from two aisles over, where they found Kimi crouched before the candy section, stacks of chocolate bars teetering. Eyes alight, she exclaimed, “They’re in! A whole line of designs to celebrate the Emergence!”

The fourth anniversary was next week, the weeklong holiday coinciding with the Lunar New Year.

Akira dropped down beside her, checking out her haul. “Clan crests are definitely a classy way to go. Is it just the Five?”

“No!” Kimi laughed softly. “I’ve found eleven different designs in this box, but I heard there will be forty all together. Not sure how I’m going to afford them all.”

“That’s a cinch,” said Akira. “All you have to do is acquaint your betrothed with the Valentine’s Day tradition. Then he can shower you with chocolates.”

To Akira’s amusement, she actually considered it. But only for a moment.

“I couldn’t do that. Most of the fun is in finding them myself.”

“That might be difficult.” Isla pointed to the small print on a nearby sign. “Some designs are only available regionally.”

Kimiko groaned. “Train fare, too?”

“Probably not,” Akira cautioned. “The school is keeping close tabs on everyone, and Sensei is keeping even closer tabs on you. Or did you forget the security detail at your place?”

Her face fell.

Suuzu helped her gather up her stack, carrying them to the counter.

Akira nudged Isla with an elbow. “Think Quen knows about Valentine’s Day?”

She shook her head. “You and Kimi grew up in human society, so it’s familiar enough to you. But reavers don’t share this particular custom, and there’s no Amaranthine equivalent.”

“Maybe someone should ask Ms. Reeves to add it to February’s curriculum.”

Isla poked his chest. “Talk to Sosuke. Since he represents your third of the class, he can speak to her on your behalf.”

Not a bad idea.

Back out on the street, Akira fell in step with Kimi. “Any weird flavors today?”

“This one’s new.” She showed him a small bag with a bright green wrapper—HAPPY KAPPA CONFETTI CRISPS.

The character on the package was funny. Was there an Amaranthine equivalent to the kappa from folk lore? “So … does Eloquence know about your strange taste in snacks?”

She shook her head. “We’ve barely talked, and it’s usually about important things.”

Akira snorted. “I coulda sworn this stuff was important to you.”

“I’m not sure it counts as important.”

“But don’t people who care about each other like knowing little things—even if they’re as bizarre as your snack risks—especially the things that make them happy?”

Kimi opened the crinkling bag and popped a pale green crisp into her mouth. Akira wasn’t sure if the resulting pucker was a good thing, but when she held out the bag, he took one. He sniffed and studied the odd hue before giving in to curiosity.

She asked, “Do you think knowing little things about someone is part of loving them?”

Akira considered that idea aloud. “Could be. I mean, the more you know about someone, the more reasons you may find to like them. Or maybe the more you like someone, the more you want to know the kinds of things nobody else does. Because that’d mean they trust you more than anyone.”

She hummed. “Which was it for you and Suuzu?”

Akira hesitated. He hadn’t been thinking about friendship kinds of love, but in essence, weren’t they a lot alike? He shrugged. “Both, I guess. Plus a willingness to de-clutter. In your case, it’ll probably be both, plus getting used to dog hair. You do realize it’ll be everywhere, right?”

She laughed.

Even better, her posture shifted. Akira wasn’t learning the nonverbal cues half as quickly as Isla, but he could tell Kimi was relaxed. Maybe even happier. He might not be a prodigy like Isla, but with Suuzu’s coaching, he was keeping up with the basics.

He passed around the bag of steamed buns, and they meandered onward, always keeping the landmark tree in view.

Dickon welcomed them at the foot of the shrine’s lengthy stairs. “Thank you, boys. I will see to the young mistresses’ safety from here.” His words held dismissal.

Figuring Suuzu would be only too glad to get home, Akira was already waving goodbye, turning toward home.

Suuzu put out an arm to stop him. “Are we unwelcome, Reaver Denholme?”

The man’s dark eyes flashed. “Far from it, good phoenix. I apologize for any disappointment. By your next visit, the wards will be tuned to accept you.”

“By what means?” asked Suuzu, pleasant but persistent.

Akira couldn’t understand the challenge—if it even was a challenge. Then again, Suuzu was always careful about details. Maybe these were the kinds of questions a good friend should be asking.

Dickon said, “By the most secure means admissible.”

Suuzu’s head cocked to one side. “Tuned crystals?”

“If you are willing.”

Akira remembered something about tuned crystals from Juuyu’s nest-necklace. He didn’t really understand all the intricacies of crystal resonance and amplification. But he knew that wards could tattle on your movements and invisible barriers could feel like a brick wall if you weren’t supposed to cross them.

Suuzu said, “Tuned crystals would be ideal, provided they are properly handled.”

Dickon inclined his head. “Spokesperson Twineshaft arranged for their installation.”

Akira blinked. What were the chances?

“Far be it from me to question Hisoka Twineshaft’s handling.”

Suuzu’s tone was stiff, yet polite. Akira grabbed his hand and rolled his eyes deliberately toward the girls. “Only the best for these two. Best of the best!”

Not as smooth or subtle as Kimi’s posturing, but good enough to get by.

Recognition flickered, and Suuzu murmured, “Yes, of course. I am content.”

“Take care on your return journey.” Dickon’s gaze swept the quiet lane. “It happened again.”

“Another attack?” Kimi asked sharply. “Someone’s been taken?”

Dread plunged in Akira’s gut. “They didn’t say anything at school.”

Dickon’s jaw tightened, and his shook his head once. “She is not a student at New Saga. The girl attends Ingress Academy.”