On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Kana opened her lunchbox and held in a sigh. I don’t really want to be at school today. I’ve too much to think about. Not only was everyone still bugging her about the fires and yakuza attacks at the shrine, even though a few days had passed, they were still making fun of her over big bro too.

I mean, come on, I said there was nothing going on. He’s already got two girlfriends… her lunch was a bit fancier than it used to be, and as she picked away at her meal, she considered that at least big bro was generous with his money. I don’t think he liked seeing how poor we were. It’s embarrassing, but I’d rather have money than pride.

“So, you seem lost in thought, Kana-chan.” Asami-san said, pulling over her desk to join her. Mio-chan did the same on the other side, and soon they were eating together. Several other girls pulled their desks over too, which was a bit unusual, as most of the other girls avoided Kana, usually anyway.

Well I’ve got a lot on my mind, haven’t I? if only you knew… “Oh, it’s nothing. So, you were saying…?”

“I’ve noticed your lunch looks pretty nice. Don’t you worry you might…” Asami-san paused to grin. “… put on weight?”

Kana nearly choked on her tuna, surprised at the joke.

“Yeah, this big bro of yours wouldn’t like you if you don’t stay beautiful.” Mio-chan gently mocked her.

“I told you, there’s nothing going on there!” she pouted, stabbing the next piece of tuna angrily with her chopsticks.

“I guess we’ll see on Sunday right? I’m really looking forwards to visiting your shrine again. He’ll be there, right?” Asami-chan asked.

“Yeah, we just have to check him out.” Mio-chan agreed.

Seriously, I don’t see their fascination with this. I need to regain the initiative, it should be me making the jokes. I’m the queen of this class. Although… It wasn’t enough just for her to be beautiful and charming. Lately it’s been nothing but blows to my pride. But I’m not going to stay depressed, no, I’m going to shine more brightly than ever. Girls like Mori-san, I’ll not let them put me down…

“Well, it isn’t like Akio-kun…” she made sure to call him by that, rather than big bro, “… is at my beck and call, is he? Still, he’ll probably be around. Of course, I’m not sure he’s going to want to waste time talking to you two though.” she teased, regaining the initiative. Though he probably will, he’s pretty friendly with girls. Too friendly, really.

“Sure he will.” Mio-chan pouted. “No man can resist cute schoolgirls like us, right?”

“Hey, can… can I come too?” another girl in class asked. On seeing everyone looking at her, the girl shrunk back in her seat, embarrassed. Err, what was her name again? I don’t think I’ve spoken to her much… she isn’t a girl who obviously dislikes me like some, but I’ve not had much to do with her either.

“Really?” Asami-chan asked. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for the guy, Noguchi-san? Looking at his girls I think you’re pretty outclassed.”

At that a ripple of laughter went around the classroom. The girl, Noguchi-san, flushed. “No, it isn’t like that… I just thought… well, you’ve seemed more approachable lately Izumi-san, so I thought… maybe… we could be friends?”

That caught her by surprise. Friends, with me? I… don’t see why. She had always made clear the difference between her and girls that weren’t as pretty or as popular. It wasn’t like she was a bully or anything, In fact if anything she felt other girls were cold to her due to her family being poor… I certainly made it clear they were below me, it was a way to defend myself, hold my position in class. To think a girl like this Noguchi-san thinks I’m approachable… maybe I have changed a little. Maybe Shaeula has influenced me…

Shaeula was a thorny conundrum for her, though she rationalised it that competing with a non-human, affectively a kami, was clearly foolish. Kana didn’t think she would lose in terms of looks, but she had to admit she didn’t win, either. Not like she did against most other girls she’d met, or even a lot of the celebrities or idols on TV. And Shaeula, she was the same outgoing, friendly person with pretty much whoever she met, seemingly satisfied with her own worth. If someone tried to lord it over her, no doubt she’d simply laugh it off and crush them with her confidence. I want that for myself, especially now.

“Hmm, well… there isn’t much to see and do at my shrine. I mean, everyone here knows this school has a long history with the shrines and temples, right, even those of you who are ordinary students?”

Noguchi-san and other girls nodded. Even the few bitchy girls that she hated, who were listening in to the conversation from the sides, were aware of the special nature of the school curriculum.

“Well, right now my shrine is nothing special. Although you just wait until our new training hall is built!” Kana couldn’t resist boasting about it. “We’ll have a gym, sauna, swimming pool, gaming room… all sorts of cool stuff! You can come visit then, if you ask me really nicely!” she laughed. Listen well. I’m no longer living in poverty. None of you will have anything like that at your homes!

“Yeah, that sounds cool. But… seriously, if this big bro of yours is putting out all this effort, I’m more convinced than ever he’s aiming for you, Kana-chan! We need to protect you from his lustful clutches!” Mio-chan giggled.

Yeah, this is all the same as yesterday. I guess they still haven’t got it out of their system. Speaking of yesterday… Kana remembered the request Shaeula had asked of her. It was a good opportunity to try it. “Uh, does anyone have Kikuchi-san’s phone number? I’d like to invite her over on Sunday too.”

“Why, are you planning to bully her? You’ve never been close to Kikuchi, I know you don’t like her. Hasn’t she suffered enough?” one of the girls in class that rarely interacted with anyone spoke up. She was nothing special looks-wise, and wore dowdy glasses and had her bangs hanging down over her face like a curtain. Takagi-san, I think, right?

As the girls in class looked on, interested at this new development, she held in her annoyance, keeping her expression friendly, despite fuming at the criticism. Bully her? Why would I waste my time doing that? I’m not so petty, if I don’t like someone I just ignore them, as long as they don’t pick a fight with me first. Unless I can’t, like Mori-san…

“Hardly. I’m a little hurt by that accusation, Takagi-san. Actually, it’s shrine business. What with her being absent and what happened to her father, my own parents are a bit worried about their shrine. You come from a normal family I think, so you wouldn’t get it. Besides, I’m all… approachable… now, right Noguchi-san?” she smiled reassuringly, and Noguchi-san blushed and nodded, tittering nervously.

“So I think it’s time we got a bit closer. And since I’m being hassled into letting lots of girls invade my home this weekend, it seems a great chance to do it.”

Takagi-san was silent for a while, before gesturing with her phone, sending the number over. “If I hear you’ve sent her anything bad, I’ll.. I’ll make you sorry.” Takagi-san said bravely, surprising her. That’s quite bold, I’m the queen of this class, antagonising me could lead to bullying, if I was that sort of bitch. She wasn’t, it not being worth the effort or something she was into, especially since she hated those who looked down on her for being poor, but even so, the girl had surprised her.

“Fine. Why not come over yourself, Takagi-san? It seems like it’ll be a class party. I’ll ask Akio-kun if he can get us drinks and snacks. That way you can see I don’t mean her any ill-will.”

“Yay, class trip, class trip!” Asami-chan was speaking in a sing-song manner.

It does seem to have got out of hand rather quickly. Sorry big bro. I’ll apologise by getting in touch with Kikuchi-san like you wanted…

She rapidly sent a text to the new number she had received, before hurriedly finishing her lunch, while everyone else was talking excitedly about the weekend. Honestly, I don’t see what is so fun about visiting my shrine. It can’t all be to meet big bro, right? I mean, sure he’s handsome and rich, but… wait, it IS that, isn’t it? Kana didn’t realise she was pouting fiercely for the rest of the lunch-break…

********

“By the White Snake, I’m exhausted.” She dropped her bag in her room, before slumping down on the bed. It wasn’t often she used the name of her shrines’ kami, so it showed just how frazzled she was. Now half the class is coming on Sunday. It’s a bit of a big deal.

Still, more importantly, she had had a response from Kikuchi-san, wary, but admitting her father had recovered, and they were staying somewhere safe. Normally such a message would have seemed absurd, but from what Shaeula had disclosed to her during her training last evening, danger was a true description of what the Kikuchi’s had faced. But apparently, Shaeula and big bro had handled it well.

“All right then… here goes. I don’t want to let big bro and Shaeula down. I hope she listens.” She rapidly typed out a reply, saying that the threat was gone, and that the ones that had saved her father wanted him to come to Shirohebizumi shrine on Sunday to discuss an alliance. While that was going on, she might as well come herself to a gathering of people from their class being held there. “… and sent. It’s up to her now.”

Changing from her school unform into more comfortable and fashionable clothes, Kana considered what to do next. I guess I could do my homework, or… maybe I should practice what Shaeula taught me… If she was going to do that, she should probably find Marika-chan, the cute little gremlin. She’s so earnest and hardworking. Not like me… and she’ll be pretty when she’s older, no question. Strange, I remember Shaeula saying that big bro’s hometown is full of pretty girls. And big bro is hot too… maybe it’s something in the water there?

Knocking on the door to what was now Marika-chan’s room, she waited for the answer, and was rewarded with a polite “I am coming.” The door slid open to reveal Marika-chan, still in her uniform. It looked like she had been doing her homework, as various books were open on her desk.

“Oh, Kana-san. Good evening.” Marika-chan said politely. “What can I do for you?”

Her way of speech really is adorable. It makes me want to hug her. She isn’t like Keomi-chan, who only looks like a kid… speaking of Keomi-chan, I hear big bro got her added onto the list for training. I hope she doesn’t screw it up and do something clumsy and stupid like usual. “Oh, I just wanted to check things were going all right for you at school? I hope you’ve been making some friends. It must be difficult, moving away from home at a young age to come to the big city.”

Marika-chan nodded. “I thank you for your concern, but everyone has been very nice. I am close to several other girls. Though I will admit…” she paused, looking a little embarrassed. “… all the attention over the last few days has been a little wearying.”

“I’ll bet.” She agreed, commiserating with her. “Once they found out you were at the shrine during the attack, I bet they hounded you for info, right?”

Marika-chan bobbed her head again. “Yes. I… I do not really want to talk about it, but people are curious, and…” the little girl paled, beginning to look afraid again, no doubt remembering the terrible events.

Damn, I didn’t want to make her think about it. I need to change the subject. Oh yeah, I came for that, right…

“I was wondering if you’d like to practice a bit? Shaeula did say the more effort we put in, the better rewards we would get, and that when we finally made a breakthrough, we’d find ourselves with abilities beyond what we have now. I don’t know about you, and I really hope we never run into trouble like that again, but… wouldn’t it be reassuring if we were strong like big bro? It’d make him feel better too, I bet. He does worry for us.” The look on his face when he thought we were in danger. I can’t forget it…

Marika-chan perked up a little, her sweaty pallor returning to her normal colour. With another small nod she agreed. “Yes, I would like that, Kana-san. For Chairo-sama, my shrine and Akio-sama, I need to do my best!”

Ugh, she’s definitely a sweet little thing. She’d better be treated right at school, if I hear she is getting bullied, I won’t sit idly by! Her protective instincts were kicking in. “All right then, we might as well get started and we can encourage each other. Mental imagery isn’t my strong suit. Oh, and have you thought any more about whether to go for that ‘lunar chakra’ Shaeula mentioned? I think… I think I’m going to go for it.” I considered it all last night. It sounds a bit risky, but Shaeula is confident, and besides… Mori-san has it. And I don’t want to let her lord it over me.

“I know Shaeula-sama said the decision was ours, but I trust her, and I trust Akio-sama. If it is necessary to reach the peak of power, I shall risk it. Akio-sama is allowing his precious sister Aiko-sama to learn it, so I believe we can do it too.” She smiled then, expression bright. “I may not have a gift like you, Kana-san, but my bloodline has been proven pure. Apparently my chakra network exists in a vestigial state, so unlike Aiko-sama, I will have a much easier time flooding it with aether to awaken it.”

“Yeah, big bro does seem to be rather too fond of his sister. He’s lucky he has a hot girlfriend… or two… otherwise he’d just be labelled a creep. I can’t see him allowing her to face real danger, although…” Shaeula did say he was letting Mori-san take some managed risks, so I guess he is more flexible than we give him credit for…

“Anyway, talking about it is pointless. We might as well get cracking for an hour or two before dinner…”

********

“My head is aching…” Kana moaned, heading back towards her room. Marika-san was also exhausted after a bit over an hour of intense concentration, but even so, she went back to her homework, like a good little student. Such a well-behaved girl…

Her body felt heavy, a cold weight around her lower body sending shivers through her.  It was quite the interesting feeling, equal parts uncomfortable and strangely pleasant. I guess that is the aether. I still can’t get it to circulate up to the middle and upper chakras like Shaeula explained, but pulling it in… I can do that…

“Oh, Kana dear, are you finished with what you were doing?” her mother stuck her head through a doorway, waving her over. “Can you help me with dinner?”

Kana bit down a sigh. “Fine. If I have to. By the way, I’ve been thinking… can you persuade father to let big bro take over the shrine like he wanted?”

“This again, huh? I know you worry about our finances, but there is more…”

“I’m not talking about that.” She interrupted. “I don’t want another long lecture from father and grandfather. Big bro doesn’t want to take our shrine from us, he wants what’s best for us. So we should do what he asks.”

“Oho, so you want to do what big bro asks, do you? That’s adorable, Kana.” Her mother said slyly. At that she blushed, cursing herself silently for being flustered. Trying to regain the initiative, she decided to show off what she had learned. If I can convince mother, then she can work on father.

“Look, thanks to Shaeula’s help, I can use my ability to see ‘abnormalities’ whenever I want.” She concentrated, pulling the aether that had accumulated within her up into her eyes. She shivered as a trail of cold prickling needles moved through her body, before suddenly sparks and spots of colour were dancing in her vision. “See…?” she said triumphantly, sweat springing up on her forehead.

“You are doing it? How wonderful.” Her mother exclaimed, though really she could only take her daughters’ word for it.

“Yeah, but it’s still hard work.” Letting the aether disperse her vision went back to normal. “Look, Shaeula and big bro are the experts on the spiritual, right? And Shaeula told me if he has ownership over the land, he can strengthen it and us. They don’t want anything like…” she swallowed, remembering. But I’m not scared. I’m NOT. I WILL get stronger, so I don’t fear anyone! “… like what happened to happen again. So, please, help me convince father and grandfather. Big bro will not screw us over. You know that too, right?”

Her mother looked at her seriously, for such a long time Kana found it hard to meet her gaze. After this uncomfortable inspection, her mother broke into a smile. “I see. You really believe in big bro and Shaeula. Really, I think they can be trusted too. All right, I’ll talk to Daichi and father-in-law. If you show off your control of your gifts, that might help convince them too.”

“Thanks mom.” Kana threw her arms around her mother, hugging her.

“My, how unusual for you to be so affectionate.” Her mother laughed. “Still, I need help with dinner, and I don’t want to bother Marika-chan while she is settling in.”

“Yeah, she’s doing her homework right now.” Kana agreed. “Oh, one last thing. This Sunday… err, some classmates from school are coming over.”

“My, more unusual events. Is that Nagase-chan and Tsumori-chan? I thought you were too ashamed of our … how did you put it… oh yes, our run-down shrine that stunk of poverty… to bring them here.” she chided gently.

Ugh, I did say that when I was having a tantrum in middle school. It isn’t fair to bring that up now! Mortified, she tried to remain composed. “Well, times have changed, haven’t they? And if you help me convince father and grandfather, we can be even better. But… it isn’t just my friends, there are a lot of others from class who are coming. They… well I guess the attack from the yakuza piqued their interest.” That and big bro…

“I see, this is a surprise. You aren’t the most sociable girl, Kana dear. Your mother is happy to see your growth!”

Please, no more teasing! “So anyway, I was hoping you could help me ask big bro if we could use his house for the meet-up? It’s a bit more spacious, and he has a TV and games consoles and stuff… and maybe, if he could get us some food and drinks for a party…?”

“I think he’d be delighted if you asked him yourself, dear.” Her mother grinned. “I’m sure he’d be more than happy to put his hand in his pocket for a cute girl like you. After all, compared to your hairclip, the cost of some party food is nothing, right?”

I guess so. Her hand went to the clip, feeling the cold smoothness of platinum under her fingertips. “Oh, yeah. That’s right. Maybe I’ll do that…” I can tell him I’ve contacted Kikuchi-san as well. He’ll be pleased, I hope…

Humming happily to herself she followed her mother into the kitchen, complaints about having to help with dinner forgotten, only for the doorbell to ring. “Could you get that, Kana dear?” her mother asked.

All right, all right. Traipsing over to the door, she opened it up, only to find an older man and a young woman, both in suits. “Hello, can I help you?” she asked warily, not recognising them, only to freeze when the man pulled out his identification.

“Good evening, Izumi-san, I believe? I’m Detective Kato Reiji, and this is my assistant, Officer Usui. I’m sorry to bother you so late, but I’ve got some questions for you and your family, as well as Oshiro-san, who I believe lives on your property…?”

No, not again, I thought we were done with this.  Still, she knew she had no grounds to refuse, so nervously she stepped aside, allowing them to come in. I hope I don’t say anything that gets big bro into trouble. This sucks… just as things were starting to look up today too…