Ruby Red

15

I sauntered into Border Headquarters and found thousands of Border trainees that littered the floor. They stood around and watched as I made my way through them and toward the stage where Shinoda was preparing to speak. His eyes locked with my red ones and his brows furrowed in confusion. I hopped up to join him in front of everyone.

"I'm here to watch over my kouhai." He simply nodded and pushed me over to Arashiyama Squad where I stood with Kitora who handed me a badge. "Hey, Kitora."

"It's nice to see you here, Kaori."

"It's been awhile. We should have a match sometime. I've heard about your strength from Mikumo, but I've never gotten to see it in action."

"Maybe later when this is all over." We smiled at each other and silenced once Shinoda began to speak. I tried my best not to laugh at my uncle's chummy speech and how he saluted everyone at the end. He finally passed the stage over to Arashiyama Squad. Suddenly, the trainees released their infatuation over the Captain. I elbowed him in the side.

"Popular with the ladies, I see." I winked at him. Jun grinned right back.

"Shouldn't you be looking for Kazama?" We playfully glared at each other with evil glints in our eyes.

"Hey, no fighting," Kitora said maturely. Jun instructed everyone to split up and I practically begged Satori to take good care of Chika. He nodded and lead his group out of the room. I stepped down from the wooden platform and over to where the other two young Tamakoma members stood.

"Hey, Mikumo. What are you doing here? You're already officially enlisted."

"I'm here to watch Kuga," he explained. I nodded and turned my attention back up toward Arashiyama who explained the rules and points. A group of boys all showed off their extra points that they earned for their "high potential".

"You're gonna destroy them, Kuga," I whispered to the white-haired Neighbor. He hummed in response before following Jun into the hallways I tuned out everything and got lost in my thoughts.

'If Kazama Squad shows up, I'm leaving. I don't wanna see them. Especially after last time in the cafeteria. I told him to make up his mind but he still has yet to make a single attempt to talk to me. Not even a text...'

Kids began their attempts at defeating a small Bamster, but I didn't care until Yuma began to walk up.

"What did you get, Kaori?" I glanced over at Kitora and Mikumo.

"Never tried it... Maybe I'll take a shot after Kuga." I watched as Kuga took a stance and the Bamster appeared. Not even a second after the machine said "start", it was already defeated. My jaw dropped and I gaped at the lime green numbers that froze for everyone to see. The clock stopped and gasps filled the room.

04:59:41

I gripped the edge of the rail with clammy palms with my jaw dropped wide. Yuma stepped out of the booth with a content smirk. One of his fellow trainees jolted up and pointed an accusing finger at the white-haired boy.

"Wait, wait... It's impossible! That was a fluke! The measuring instrument must be broken. Do it one more time!" I slapped my hand to my face.

"Shut up, you envious bastard..." Kitora nudged me in the side. Yuma returned to the booth and defeated his opponent just as quickly as the first time.

04:59:62

"Stop making it harder for me to beat you," I yelled down at my kouhai. Again, Kitora elbowed my side. I hopped over the rail and stepped up to an empty room. "Trigger on!" Bright yellow material appeared over my body and my hair was swept up into a neat ponytail. "Hey, Suwa! Set me up! I want to have a go!"