Fires And Family | Paradox Live

12

For once, Himari could say that she'd had a quiet day. She spent most of it in her room embroidering a bold AKYR on Reo's new pink beanie that he planned to wear as part of his next stage outfit. Iori had disappeared early in the day on some errand of his, and Zen had been out since the afternoon. A little past noon, the kids had come by to inform her that they would also be going out on an errand for Iori and wouldn't be around for lunch. Himari had seen them off and then fixed herself a simple lunch of leftovers before bringing her embroidery and some clothes that needed to be repaired out to the living room to finish things off. She'd had practically the whole day to herself.

Of course, she hadn't been entirely alone. After her visit with Chika and the recent Family stage battle, Himari had a lot on her mind. She'd been going over so many of her memories that whole day that, really, it felt like all the people from her childhood had been there with her...
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Eight years ago

Himari really didn't have very great expectations for high school. She'd managed to get through all her years of middle school without making a single friend. In fact, she'd seemed to only have made an enemy in that whole time, and gotten everyone else to hate her more because of it. Why would the next three years be any different? Nothing had changed after all, her dad was still her dad and the Suiseki group was still going strong. Stronger than ever, actually.

Himari wanted to throw her book bag into the gutter and run away. Going to school just made her more miserable everyday. Why did she even put herself through it?

'Because it makes Dad happy.'

Himari cursed her brain for having an answer at the ready like that. She fought back.

'It's not my job to make him happy.'

'You're his greatest joy since mom died.'

'Not anymore though, he's got that brilliant new son of his. Iori Suiseki. What does he need me for?'

'He still loves you and wants to see you happy.'

"Argh! Shut up!" she suddenly yelled out loud.

At that moment someone pushed into her from behind, almost causing her to fall. The person moved past her with an impatient snarl.

"Stop yelling at no one and get out of the way, you lunatic."

Himari regained her balance and looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of the girl who had pushed her. Loose black hair, a bruise along her left cheekbone and eyes about as angry as Himari's. Himari straightened up.

"Oi," she said and waited for the girl to turn around. When she did, Himari continued with her voice low and calm. "You have a problem with me?"

The girl smirked. "Plenty of problems. You're pretty famous for being problematic."

"Oh? Who's talking?"

"I'm no snitch. It's enough for you to know that people at this school already know what you are."

It was only then that Himari noticed that the girl was wearing the same uniform as her.

'Great. The welcoming squad's already here, huh?" Himari thought to herself.

"And what's that?" Himari asked out loud, in reference to what the girl had said. "What am I exactly?"

"Himari Suiseki. Spoiled princess of the Suiseki group."

Himari scoffed. It always boiled down to that. "Right," she muttered, losing patience with the conversation, and tried to walk past the girl.

The impact came out of nowhere. Himari didn't have time to react before a fist collided with her cheek and sent her crashing into the guard rails that separated foot traffic from the road. Himari was momentarily knocked senseless and when she came to again she was on her knees clutching her ribs and blinking tears out of her eyes.