Chrono X Angel, Book 7: Trial By Fire

Chapter 4

Today was a big day for Hyoka. It was her first day back in high school, despite technically graduating over a decade prior, and yet she felt oddly... excited? Yeah, she was definitely excited. Mostly because she would get to act like a normal high school girl for the first time in her life, even if just for a little while, and have her friends there to boot! Nonami AKA Mari Kurosaki, Sarah AKA Yue Shirogami, Rei AKA Asuka Katsuragi, and herself going by the codename Hime Kawayui. She had altered her look ever so slightly, changing her hair from black with blue frosty tips, to the pure light blue of her Yuki Onna form, and had done her best to liven up the color of her skin.

"How do I look?" She asked of Junji, who was holding her bookbag, slightly uncomfortable with the idea of Hyoka being undercover in a high school. Still, as always he understood the necessity, and certainly was not going to get in Hyoka's way of protecting people. Especially if those people were kids.

"Absolutely adorable, dear," he sighed with a smile, "But uh, you may want to leave your ring here. People might wonder why a high school girl is wearing a wedding ring."

"Oh yeah," replied Hyoka, frowning as she looked down to her left hand that bore the ring her husband had placed there. She really did not want to take it off, in fact she had vowed to herself to never do that very thing, but... Junji did have a point. Hmm, but what if...
Before Junji's astonished eyes, the ring passed inside of Hyoka's semi-corporeal form and disappeared from view.

"I took it into my mass!" She giggled, "It's kinda like how I eat, only with this it's juuuust under my 'skin' so it won't get absorbed! Err......I hope."

"Oh brother..." groaned Junji, who could not help but chuckle. That was Hyoka for you, no doubt about it. Sure he had his doubts that first night when she had revealed herself to him, but anymore? No, there was zero doubt that this slightly air-headed specter was the love of his life... briefly he thought back to that night, as he had been locking up the game store early ahead of a massive snowstorm coming that night...

Christmas Eve, Two Years Ago...

"That had oughta do it," said Junji to himself as he brought down the security gate over the storefront. He was not usually the closer, so this particular task was one he had never really done before. He had at least opened once or twice though, so he decided to more or less do that operation in reverse. There was an odd sensation just then, like a cold breeze blowing past him. Odd, considering the store was not near any exterior exits, but what did he know. Maybe with no people here, the wind could carry. As he turned around towards the nearly-deserted mall, a girl in a red overcoat and blue dress was walking towards him. She looked familiar, and Junji recalled that she had been in the other day with a foreigner in a green outfit. The two had bought many games, even a couple consoles, and had been a pleasure to speak with compared to his usual fare. He noted back then that she looked... quite familiar. He of course was not going to ask if she were related to his missing, presumed dead, girlfriend, but he had to admit... except for the color of her eyes and hair, the girl looked like the spitting image of his Hyoka.

"Sorry miss," he said, clicking the lock mechanism shut behind him, "Store's closed. Actually I think we're about the last one to do so. You should probably hurry and get home, this is gonna be a rough night."

The girl starred at him silently for a moment, as if she was not actually there.

"Miss? Are you alright? And where's your coat? You're probably gonna need it-"

"Junji Masahiro," said the girl, her voice trembling, "Do you... do you recognize me?"

He frowned. Just who exactly was this girl? Still, he had to act professional...