Of Angels and Phantoms

Chapter 24- A decisive dedication

Hello guys I'm back with another chapter, like I promised :3

My throat is hella sore so I'm glad that I can talk to you guys like this instead of using my voice ;_; DO GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS TOO GUYS! I'M REALLY HAPPY TO RECEIVE THEM, SO COME AT ME MY BRETHREN <3

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"Yuzu?"

I turned back as I heard my name being called. My face broke into a smile as soon as I noticed my training mate and buddy jogging up to me with an arm in the air, waving at me.

"Javi!" I called out, greeting him. "June called you too?"

"Yeah. She said she needed the help of some strong men, you see..." Javi flexed his muscles playfully, showing his biceps off.

"Yes, Super Javi..." I chuckled and slapped his arm, walking up the stairs to June's apartment. "Are we early?"

"Well..." Javi glanced at his watch. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's still sleeping. But she asked us to come in the morning, right?"

We stood in front of her house, pressing the doorbell. There was no answer, as Javi and I waited in silence.

Javi let out a low whistle. "Oh man." He pressed the doorbell again as we waited patiently.

A loud bang was heard, followed by loud and rapid stomping, with a few incoherent curses recognisably in June's voice. The door burst open and June appeared, looking visibly flustered.

"Sorry. Didn't think you guys were coming this early." June caught her breath and let us in. She was in animal print pyjamas and her hair was an amazing mess, sticking up everywhere like a feather duster.

"You look stunning, chica. New image?" Javi teased, messing up her hair even more. "You're definitely rocking the Lion King look right there."

June rolled her eyes and shoved her elbow into his stomach hard before leaving us in the living room as she went to change. I stared at Javi, clearly in pain. I sighed and shook my head at him without saying a word.

"I can't help it," Javi laughed as he cringed, slowly recovering.

"You deserved it."

"Oh well," Javi chuckled and glanced around the house, looking at the boxes lying around. "Seems like she's started a little."

"Of course I did," June returned with her hair tied up and out of her pyjamas. "I wouldn't expect you guys to be doing all the work for me." She took out more boxes from the back and laid them out, crossing her arms.

"Where do we start?"

"The shelves." June rolled up her sleeves, pulling out her books. "We can leave the furniture alone. Just make sure books and stuff are packed."

"Stuff? Like this?" Javi flipped through a photo album, looking at June's photos. "Is that you?" He squinted at a yellowed photo.

"That's my mum," June glanced over his shoulder, clearing the bookshelf. "Dude, can we finish this first?"

"Yuzu, look at this! June looks exactly like her mum!" Javi pointed excitedly at a photo, showing it to me. It was a photo of a girl around June's age, looking uncannily familiar. I looked at June and had a double take.

"You really look like your mother, don't you?" I smiled, glancing up from the photo again.

"A bit, I guess..." June muttered and filled the box up with another stack of books, exhaling softly as she piled up another stack of books.