Battle(non-violent) Between Light and Dark

“Well then, we should probably get ourselves a meal. Do you two have anything in mind?” Asking our new guests for meal recommendations was a good way to hit it off, or at least I thought it was. I was still pretty new to the ‘having friends’ thing.

“I just so happen to know about this awesome sushi place! Utena-chan, praise me!” ‘Kiwi-san’ was boisterous and while she acknowledged my question, she didn’t even turn to me. A faint sigh left my throat and Utena responded to her minion in kind.

“A-alright, well done Kiwi-san. Is everyone alright with that?” I noticed her eyes peel over me and Korisu-chan, though they seemed to linger on me for a bit longer which caused me to smile.

“I’m alright with that.” 

The moment the words left my mouth the girl next to me gave a small nod. Looks like we’re all in agreement then. We started to move through the streets at the direction of Kiwi-san, and we eventually arrived at the sushi place.

‘Silver Sushi’ The logo was a small metal Maki that hung above the corner of the sign. Looking inside it seemed to be quite the nice place, however my eyes widened at the group of three girls celebrating indoors.

It was those three who frequented the tea shop. I didn’t expect to see them here. My thoughts were cut off as Utena grabbed my hand and started to pull me inside. I followed easily but I noticed her also staring at the group of three girls.

“Haruka-chan! It’s nice to see all of you, I didn’t know you were back from your vacation!” While Utena spoke she held me close, as though to stake her claim on me in front of the three others.

“Ah, Hi Utena-chan, oh I didn’t know you were so close with Akihiko-san!” 

I felt Utena’s grip tighten on my arm, Kiwi-san approaching from behind with an annoyed expression on her face as she glared at Kauruko, who instead of glaring back just stared at me with a casual smile.

“Oh my, you two appear so close . . . could it be that you two are dating?” At the blonde’s words it was like an arrow passed through the heart of Kiwi, yet it also somehow managed to hit Sayo as well?

Utena opted to kiss me on the lips much to my surprise, then she sent a glare to Kaoruko-chan.

“Does that answer your question?” A faint trail of saliva hung in the air for a moment as my face turned a fiery red. I turned away for a moment and spotted Korisu-chan looking dead inside for some reason, and just staring off into space. 

Turning back, Kauruko had a hand on her chin as she raised an eyebrow.

“I believe it does.” 

At that point I decided to clear my throat and announce why I’d presumed we were actually speaking to them in the first place.

“Did all of you finish working on whatever it is you were training for?” Haruka nodded with a big smile, and proved my assumption to be true with the next words that came out of her mouth.

“Yep! That’s why we're celebrating! Do you four want to join us?” 

I gave a look over to the group I was with, who seemed to want to do anything but celebrate with them. I gave a small sigh and prepared an apology but Utena grabbed my arm and gave a threatening smile, giving an answer for me.

“Sorry, but we’re a little busy tonight. I’ll see you at school tomorrow!” Her tone was jovial but I couldn’t help but sense the undercurrent of venom. 

I let out a light breath of air and turned to her with a light frown. If Utena had made other friends then she shouldn’t just blow them off. I wasn’t completely certain what her game here even was. Was she trying to get me away from other girls? 

Didn’t she know I wouldn’t be swayed so easily by some random girls I barely knew anything about?

I leaned down to Utena, the action easy as our height was similar, and whispered in her ear.

“I love you, and only you. I won’t get pulled away by these random girls. They're your friends aren’t they? Let’s spend some time with them in their celebration.”

I’d honestly forgotten how insecure Utena was. It pained me slightly to think about, I certainly didn’t want her friendships to be ruined because of me. At least that Korisu girl seemed relatively normal? 

Relatively compared to everyone else I guess, though her school friends were just normal humans so they were as normal as could be. It would be good to have them as friends, I didn’t want her villain's life to consume her.

Even though that would be kind of hot.

At the thought I turned to the frozen Utena who’s blush was scarlet red and she let out a light cough and spoke up.

“P-perhaps we could fit in a bit of time to spend with you three though! To, erm, join in the celebrations!”

Kiwi looked annoyed, but her small growl was ignored as I went up to the shop owner as the girls behind me began to converse. Something about magical girls, I wasn’t really paying attention.

“Hey Boss, I’ll cover their tab.” The old man let out a grunt behind the counter and left me alone with my thoughts for a moment.

 It wasn’t something I brought up often, but my family was loaded. I had no idea what dad did but he always made sure we had enough money to get by. Honestly I had no idea if he was even alive at this point, the last time I saw him was over a decade ago and I can’t even remember his face.

Well, wherever this money came from, we had a good amount saved away. Though obviously Mom never let me access it . . . until I started dating Utena. Recently she’s just been throwing money at me in order to get me to spend more time with her. 

Mom understands me so well! I’d spend time with Utena anyways, though I'd probably try to do something physically demanding which would cause Utena to turn into a dead fish in about five minutes.

Though perhaps she’s stronger now that she’s a magical girl? I don’t know . . . things to think about, I guess. I’ll just ask her later, going on a run with her could be fun.

I’ll need to wait for my Constitution to recover though.

“Aki, Aki!” 

I turned around at the voice of Utena while I sat on the swiveling stool. Utena was blushing, as was everyone else for some reason.

“We need you to solve this debate for us.” 

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. Since when was I playing judge?

“Alright, what’s the question then?”

Haruka raised a fist in the air with a determined expression on her face.

“We need to decide on who's the better Team Leader! Magia Baiser or Magia Magenta! It’s three to three right now so we need your help to break this tie!”

My jaw dropped slightly as I scanned over the group. 

Seriously Utena? She blushed under my gaze, while my eyes narrowed slightly as they turned to Haruka-chan.

Utena, forgive me for what I’m about to do!

“Magia Baiser, is uncoordinated with her personnel. They often split up and cause damage in areas with no goal in mind besides wanton destruction. They seem to focus more on chaos itself rather than any feasible goal.”

I took a breath as Utena seemed to droop.

“Despite that her power is stupidly high, she leads through force of will and overwhelming strength. She’s dangerous, and is probably the scariest villain we’ve seen in a long time.”

Utena perked up with a smile and pointed at the group.

“See, I told you Magia Baiser was a good team leader . . . even if she’s a villain!” I had to cut her off before she started ranting, because we’d be here for way too long otherwise. Also she barely tagged on that part at the end, wasn’t she getting too obvious?

“I never gave my answer.” 

She let out an erk sound as she turned to me.

“Magia Magenta is honestly fairly weak compared to her allies, her strongest attacks seem to be large beams but in the end it's Magia Azul and Magia Sulphur that do the heavy lifting while Magenta supplies support to the team. Despite all of that she’s in charge, and it's like that for a reason.”

Kaoruko smirked. She was certainly smart, and she already knew where I was going with this.

“She coordinates her allies well, makes sure they are always healthy, knows when to retreat and when to fight, and most importantly of all her team has absolute faith that with her at the helm they will find the best possible solution to their predicament.”

The group of three seemed to let out a cheer, their victory decided this day.

“So yeah, I think Magia Magenta is a better leader, but what really matters is how things change after their return.”

A thought occurs. If Tres Magia just disappeared, and this group of three (who go to the school I KNOW Tres Magia attend) just so happen to come back and greet Veil then that could be a wild revelation.

Though would that even change anything? I guess it wouldn’t. It’s not like I was going to suddenly do a jumping on them in their civilian identities!

I look over the two groups for a moment and laugh lightly as they seem to continue arguing. My ‘tie-breaker’ seems to not have done much in the end. I guess that’s just how teenagers are. 

I turned back around and stared at the man who was in his forties with a smile.

“I’ll take four specials please, for me and my friends.” My tone was casual and I slid the man some money while I eyed the board next to us, the prices clearly listed.

“Rowdy bunch you’ve got here, keep them out of trouble.” 

I suppose he just assumed I was the boss? I guess they did turn to me for their tiebreaker, or maybe it's just because I have the money? Who knows what goes through the heads of adults. 

Suddenly I felt someone grab my arm, I turned around quickly to greet Utena, but was surprised by who I saw.

“Anything I can do for you Sayo-san?” 

She let out a faint gulp at my words. The blush on her face nearly causing me to frown. I already had a girlfriend so I’d have to refuse if she-

“Can we spar?”

Wut? I blinked at the girl in dumbfoundment for a moment before nodding then shaking my head in pure bafflement.

“It’s getting late, and we don’t even have the proper sparring equipment . . . “ We were also in a restaurant damn it!

Her blush only deepened as she spoke and pulled her hand away.

“Y-yeah, it was stupid anyways.” Her tone was like I kicked a small puppy, with the puppy being her!

Why do I feel like the bad guy!? I feel like I’m rejecting her heartfelt feelings right now!

“Look, if you come by tomorrow after school I’d be glad too. Just not right now.”

She looked up with hope in her eyes.

“Really? Thank you, I want to try out my new sword techniques, but nobody else can keep up with me at the dojo!” 

Fuck, was I accidently raising a battle maniac shounen protagonist!? This truly is a scary breed!

Well it's too late to back out now.

The shop owner swung by with four large plates which I took with a smile.

“Thank you Boss.” I meant it too! These rolls looked amazing! I wasn’t an expert on sushi, but the way they were glazed in a special orange sauce really made them look appetizing.

“Alright everyone, let’s eat!”

I set down the plates and sat next to my amazing girlfriend who gave me a hug while her mouth watered at the food, though perhaps the food was me?

After getting food in their belly Utena seemed to mellow out a bit, and the conversation turned much more friendly while the groups talked together with a happy atmosphere.

Haruka-san was the main culprit behind such an act, she really was a beacon of sunshine. I sent her a thankful glance and she sent me a perfect smile which nearly turned Utena rabid for a moment.

Then Korisu-chan squeezed up next to me and I found myself trapped between a rock and a scary Utena. 

I only then realized what should have been obvious as the sun had already set.

Korisu-chan was ten at most. Her parents were probably worried sick that their child had disappeared after dark!

I’ll certainly have to walk her home after this.

AN: Writing this chapter made me hungry. Also in this one we get some wholesome moments and slice of life interactions between both halves of the main cast. Overall very chill chapter, which they’ll treasure moments like these when the Dungeon Break happens so soon!

I read all the questions and comments, so feel free to drop them down below!

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you all next time!