Aoharu x Kikanjuu S2

Chapter 6

Midori Nagasama has been gone for one whole year already, no one, has ever seen him again.

Time passes like wind.

Like wind that blew pass in an instance, months has already passed by in a wink of an eyes.

Some things changed, some don't.

Hotaru remained in Team ToyGunGun together with her 3 precious teammates.

Tomorrow is their big day: the TGC.

After Hotaru returns from her trip with Kanae, she immediately went to meet the Team ToyGunGun members.

The moment all the members are present, Hotaru drop down to her knee and slam her head down to the floor, almost breaking the floor tile to pieces.

It happened in an instance that no one could stop her, after all, they had already forgiven her because… they're comrades.

Hotaru is always full of smiles and laughter together with Team ToyGunGun and with her best friend, Kanae. She lives through every single day as if nothing had happened that night Midori went missing. Everyone could sense something is wrong and that Hotaru never mention once about Midori, so they tried not to ask her and would avoid this sensitive topic.

As this goes on, a year has already passed. Masamune knew that there's already no space in her heart, so he waited and waited until he found out that there's no chance for him when he confessed to her few months ago.

He was just a good friend, a best friend, a great partner, yet a same time a formidable competitor to beat, but also a wonderful teammate, a respectable leader, and a brother to her, she says.

So now, he only wishes for her happiness. Wishing for her to find someone who can replace Midori and end her silent but tortuous suffering.

Over the year, Hotaru started to change, she has started wearing feminine clothing and grow out her hair due to Kanae's persistent nagging.

Haruki's problem was also getting better as he confronted his father and brother. But he would still avoid his little brother due to his creepy actions.

The only thing that hasn't change at all was the pain Hotaru received from that night. It was not because she was sick. She's extremely healthy and fit.

But the pain felt the worst right now, the same feeling as that day from last year.

It was the day of the TGC.

Hotaru arrived at the field made specially for TGC with Team ToyGunGun and then they went to change into their attires.

Hotaru's mind was so occupied with excitement and nervousness that she accidentally walks in the male's changing room out of habit. Luckily, she was pulled out by Haruki and the others who got extremely freak out by her unusual behavior; worried that she might end up in such huge trouble.

"Gomenasai!" Hotaru immediately apologized for not paying attention, she knew she can't stay this way anymore or she will become a burden to the team later in the match.

She stood in front of the mirror in the right changing room for woman this time, she lifts her head up and look into her own eyes in the reflection on the mirror. She has grown so much since then, her hair length has passed her shoulder, she has grown 3 cm, her dressing have become more feminine but most importantly, her breasts grew! Even though, it wasn't that much to be proud of. She raises her hands and slaps her cheeks so hard that they turned red like apples.

"Tachibana have to be strong" she punch her fist up the air, earning quite a few stares from other women in the same room.

Hotaru walked out the changing room and was greeted her comrades who wrapped their hands around her.

"Let's do our best" Matsuoka gathered the team around and cheered.

He can't help but feel worry for Hotaru. Although Hotaru was acting as usual; smiling and chatting with the others. It was obvious that it was acted out which the others also noticed but they just played along.

"It's Hoshishiro!" A voice called out from a distance.

ToyGunGun members all turn their heads to look toward the source of the voice.

It was Hoshishiro's Fujimoto. Beside him was Ichi who had a 'I don't know him' look and the other side was Haruka. Haruka's eyes lighten up and a wide pure smile formed on his face as soon as his eyes landed on his favourite Onii-san after searching among the crowd for a while. The Onii-san, Haruki had sweat flowing down on the side of his head, his heels was turned and about to flee.

"Nii-san don't run, or you might get hurt!"

A straight path was carved out for the four white figures approaching from the entrance far away. The tremendous aura that comes from them, froze everyone on the spot. Those four were… the Champion who had claimed the Champion seat for five consecutive years.

Everyone thought they had a possibility of winning the Champion this year because the King of the Champion team was gone.

But here he is, his naval hat and protection glasses was blocking the view of his face as he gazes on the ground.

'Midori-san'

Hotaru froze on the spot when she saw a certain person.

Her face stiffens as her eyes tingle.

She tries to resist the tears from welling up in her eyes and falls.

A loud clash comes from where Hotaru is as Hotaru's limb weakens and she lose grip of her G3SAS, Goemon-san.

Her hair stood up upon the sudden clash, Hotaru's arms fling around clumsily as she tries to recollect her thoughts back.

As she bends down to pick up her precious gun, a glimpse of black boots flash past her sight.

Hotaru looks up to find a pair of lifeless eyes peering down at her for a second before he walks past her team.

Matsuoka clenches his teeth as he stares at the back of Midori.

"Are you all right?" Matsuoka bends down and helps Hotaru up.

"Matsuoka-san… Tachibana feels weird… It hurts… Why?" Hotaru tightens her grip around Goemon-san as tears that has being building up for the past year all pours down at once.

Her face was wet, she swipes her arm and rub her tears dry with her sleeve.

Matsuoka pulls Hotaru over and hugs her tightly, burying her head into his chest.

"Hotaru… Find your answer later. When you see him again. I will make sure to beat Team Hoshishiro and make him give you an answer" Matsuoka whispers into her ears as he pats her head in a comforting manner.

Hotaru sat on the bench dazedly.

The rest of Team ToyGunGun has been in the playing field for almost 5 hours, after they pass this round, they would be qualified for the final.

The final would be with Team Hoshishiro.

However, it would be hard to say if they can even pass this round…

This round, they are fighting against Team Nine Tails.

"Tooru Yukimura Out"

"Haruki Hosokawa Out"

"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Hotaru jumps from the seat and approach the two guys who was just escorted out of the playing field.

Yukimura and Haruki were looking away from each other grumpily, with their arms crossed.

"Then Matsuoka-san is alone?!"

"Obviously. If it isn't because of this idiot who rush forward and blocked my sig-" Yukimura vents, shooting a look at Haruki.

Haruki furrowed his brows, "Who are you calling an idiot when you're the one shout in the middle of the match and got us surrounded"

"Hmph! Baka!"

Hotaru did not listen to their argument at all, instead she rushes to the spectator corner to check on Matsuoka.

"Ranmura Kita Out"

"Nouhide Minami Out"

"Nobunaga Nishi Out"

"Team ToyGunGun wins"

3 names were called on in a consecutive order followed by the notice of the winner.

Everyone was shocked. Did Matsuoka just eliminate a whole team of elites by himself?!

Team ToyGunGun waited at the exit for Matsuoka but what came out was Matsuoka lying on a stretcher, unconscious.

Matsuoka slowly opens his eyes. The first thing he saw is a familiar white ceiling of the tent for emergency when he collapsed last year at TGC after using the special eye of his.

This time, he used it again and no doubt he collapsed.

However, he had a satisfied smile on his face. He brought his precious person to the field where that person's most precious person is at.

With this, he is satisfied.

As long as she will be happy after what he done.

At least, he is the one to bring her back to him.

The truth is, he wants her to remember him whenever she sees Midori.

The one that bring them back together.

Matsuoka slowly get up but was stopped by the nurse who was looking after him.

"You can't leave yet, Matsuoka-san"

Matsuoka winced as his head trembles, "It's okay, I'm fine now, If I can't play, I should at least go and support my comrades. This is a really important time."

The nurse frown but she can't reject this innocent request of him especially when he made use of his charisma and persuasion experiences from his job as a Host.

The nurse proceeds to give him an IV drip before letting him go to the spectating field.

It has been 10 minutes since the final round started between Team ToyGunGun and Team Hoshishiro with Matsuoka and Fujimoto sitting out.

Neither of the teams had made any daring moves.

"Onii-san" a voice echoed in Haruki's ears, sending a shiver up his spine immediately.

"Crap" Haruki cursed as he senses the other person's presence.

By the time he realised, he was separated from his team…

"Tachibana-kun"

"Tachibana-kun...?"

Yukimura was staring in the scope as he called for her, hearing no answers, he turned back to find both of his teammates were not following him at all!

He was about to rage till he caught a glimpse of a reflected light at the corner of his eyes.

He furrowed his brows as he gets into his serious mode.

As a sniper, he knows exactly what he just saw… that's the light that would reflect of the glass on a sniper scope… that means…

He peers into the scope and immediately found Ichi aiming at him from a distance away, behind a small bush which hide her tiny figure well.

Ichi seems to be taken aback as she didn't expect to be found out so quickly.

None of them moves, as a simple move may result in a change of the victor and loser.

Hotaru bites her lips, she clenches her hands thinking of the long nagging Yukimura will give her for losing attention.

Her mind was occupied by thoughts of seeing Midori again… What should she say, what should she do if she saw him on the field, or-

"Da, da, da" footsteps sounds were approaching nearer to her.

Hotaru gulps.

'Who could it be…?'

A figure dressed in white naval suit, with a naval hat wore over his dark green hair and protection glasses over his grayish eyes.

A figure that Hotaru can never forget even in her dreams, the one that she watches leaving her with own eyes helplessly.

The Invincible Emperor in TGC.

The one she loves, Midori Nagamasa.

Even though… Even though he's an ultra-sadist and a flirt!

Even though… Tears welled in her eyes.

Midori was surprised when he saw her tearing up suddenly.

Could it be… because of him?

… No way… right…?

… She ran away from him after all.

Hotaru's face quickly changed, there was this weird aura going around her and it is giving the Invincible Emperor chills.

Hotaru ran towards him, aiming Goemon-san at him.

Midori swiftly dodge the rapid bullets from Goemon-san and shot back but none hit.

Hotaru was moving so fast such that Midori's bullets can't catch up.

He smirks and places his rifle in his leg holster then equips a knife instead.

They run into one another, Midori dodges the bullets and knocked Goemon-san off Hotaru's hand once they came into contact then grabs her hair tight and place the knife in the slicing position.

"Surrender now, I don't want to hurt you" Midori whisper into her ears from her back.

Hotaru blanked out for a moment.

'Just how strong is this guy…?' Even though… she played with her fullest for the sake of Matsuoka.

Tears were about to welled up in her eyes again.

Why does it feel like she became weaker…?

'Why? Why? Why?! Why?! Why?!'

'Ah… Ever since then… who has she been playing for… For Midori, to meet him again. For Team ToyGunGun, to win. For Matsuoka, for what he has done.'

How about herself? Who is she right now? She doesn't recognize herself at all.

Hotaru dodges down with her quick reflex and quickly picked up Goemon-san.

In the process, her blonde hair which reflect the color of the golden sunset in the background was sliced by his knife, returning her hair back to her old length.

Her crystal-clear lime-green eyes that reflect her purity and innocence shines brightly as if she found an answer to a question.

Midori swallows, the old Hotaru… It's… so bright. He was mesmerized by the way she moved, the way the sliced hair slowly falls to the ground like golden snow.

She pointed Goemon-san at him within a 5cm distance, it's clearly a deadly shot and a clear victory.

"Hahahaha, you got me" Midori laughs, his head leaning to a side as he facepalm with a pleased look.

Just then, Ichi who won against Yukimura came and aimed at Hotaru.

At the same time Haruki also arrived after winning against Haruka, the brother he never beaten until today with the strength he received from his team.

"Nee, Hotaru" Hotaru's heart skipped as she hears him calling her by her given name.

"Let's die together"

"Eh...?"

He winks at her, he pulled her into an embrace then stabs her and himself carefully, so it doesn't hurt.

The audience went crazy at the scene as none of them could hear the conversation, they were dying to find out what happened.

The game between Haruki and Ichi was a tough one, and the victor turns out to be Team ToyGunGun!

"Woah, Haruki, you did it huh!" Matsuoka ruffles his hair, making them a complete mess.

Yukimura joins in, asking Matsuoka to mess his hair up too which was kindly declined.

They went up to the stage to receive their very first TCG Championship trophy as a team.

Hotaru's eyes scan around the field, looking for Midori but she couldn't find him… She was afraid he might leave again… like that day.

They each gave a thank you speech each, and at last it was Hotaru's turn.

Hotaru's hands and voice tremble slightly.

"U-uh…Um…"

Haruki noticed so he asked if she doesn't want to.

She shakes her head and raise the microphone to her lips.

"Mi-Midori-san!" she yells into the microphone unknowingly, then quickly apologize when she realized.

"Umm... Midori-san… Su-Suki desu!"

Hotaru's face feels like it's burning as the audience whisper and cheer for her confession.

At an isolated corner somewhere, a man with dark green hair which resemble the color of a cooling forest, had a faint smile which is about to explode into a wide grin.

He brushes his hair backwards as he muttered to himself, "You sure got me again, didn't you, Hotaru?"

Done~ Rushing as always. Had been 2 years since I updated... So maybe no one will be reading ;/ but still my OCD is forcing me to complete this!

Hope you enjoy! Have a nice day :D Hopefully, the weather is good today.